Jammu Tawi: Sunil Dimple, president of the Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir, along with hundreds of people from all religions and traders, staged a strong protest and dharna on Janipur High Court Road on the first day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session. The protest called for the early restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s Dogra state, a debate on Article 370 in the Assembly, and the passing of a bill to ban the sale of liquor, particularly in Jammu, Katra, and other temple towns.
Addressing the protesters, Dimple demanded that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the 90 members of the Legislative Assembly bring forth their respective party bills to ban the sale of liquor in Jammu City, Katra, and Kashmir. He also sought a debate on the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and the abrogation of Article 370.
Dimple criticized Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for once again failing to provide a timeline for the restoration of statehood in his address during the budget session. He accused the LG of avoiding the issue, which remains a major concern for the region.
In addition to his demands on statehood, Dimple also called for the Darbar move to be reinstated starting in April 2025. He further demanded a CBI inquiry into the liquor mafia, alleging that certain businessmen in Jammu, along with an external liquor mafia, have gained control over the liquor industry in Jammu and Kashmir with the help of BJP leaders, corporators, and mayors.
Dimple also urged the Chief Minister to direct the Excise Department not to issue tenders for wine shops in March 2025, and to immediately halt the sale of liquor across Jammu and Kashmir.
Among his other demands, Dimple called for the Jammu and Kashmir government to pass a bill in the Assembly to provide free 200 units of electricity, twelve free LPG cylinders, and double ration to the people of the region starting this March. Additionally, he sought the nomination of four Rajya Sabha members, including one from Jammu’s Dogra community.
The protest highlighted significant public concerns, with Dimple emphasizing the need for accountability and change in policies that impact the welfare of the people.
