2-day shutdown call over Art 35A hearing

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 12

Three key separatist leaders in the Valley on Tuesday called for a two-day shutdown in the region from Wednesday to protest against the Supreme Court hearing on Article 35A.

The separatists under the banner of the joint resistance leadership also warned of a “mass agitation” if the court makes “any adverse order” — either tinker or abrogate the law that grants special privileges and rights to the state’s permanent residents. The Act also debars non-residents from buying land or property, getting government jobs or voting in the Assembly elections in the state.

The separatist leaders, while calling for a shutdown on Wednesday and Thursday, warned that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would “forcefully resist every challenge by New Delhi to change the demography of the state by rolling back hereditary state subject laws of 1927”.

“The late announcement and ambiguity over the dates of hearing of Articles 35A and 370 by the Supreme Court on February 13 or 14 is worrisome and indicates of mischief…people and leadership are fully aware of the developments and are cautiously observing them. These tactics cannot deceive them or take them for a ride,” they added.

“If anything adverse to the interests of the people of J&K and its disputed status is announced through the court, a mass agitation will be started instantly across the state,” the separatists said.