BJP and National Conference hold opposing rallies in Srinagar, CM alleges police bias

On Wednesday in Srinagar, the BJP and the ruling National Conference each launched a protest march, with the BJP starting at Lal Chowk and the NC rally led by health minister Sakina Itoo demanding the restoration of Article 370 and statehood. Both processions were stopped by police, the BJP before the Civil Secretariat and the NC when attempting to reach the BJP office. Chief minister Omar Abdullah accused the administration of bias, saying the BJP was allowed to proceed while NC participants were “brutally repressed,” and noted that some of his supporters required hospital treatment.

Sunil Sharma, the opposition leader, called for Omar Abdullah’s resignation, but the chief minister refused, promising to present a report card after five years. Meanwhile, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti questioned the police’s handling of the protests, noting that the same force had blocked a PDP demonstration while allowing the other two rallies to occur.