Permission or not, we will go to Delhi on July 19 for statehood protest: CM Omar

Srinagar, Jul 15  : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the National Conference’s proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 remains on schedule and party leaders will leave for the national capital on July 19 irrespective of whether permission for the demonstration is granted.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said the party has not yet received permission to hold the protest but was waiting patiently while keeping an alternative plan ready.

“We have not received permission yet. We know how to be patient and we will wait, but we are also keeping an alternate plan ready,” he said.

The chief minister said he has instructed party colleagues to proceed with their travel plans to New Delhi on July 19.

“I have told my colleagues that we will definitely go to Delhi on July 19. If we do not get permission for Jantar Mantar, we will sit together there and decide our next course of action.

But we will go to Delhi on July 19,” Abdullah said.

He also said there would be no change in the protest programme despite the recent demise of senior National Conference leader and his uncle Mustafa Kamal.

Abdullah said Kamal’s health had deteriorated sharply on July 11 and doctors had expressed concern over his survival, but party president Farooq Abdullah had directed that the party’s scheduled programme in Jammu on July 12 should continue.

“If we did not cancel the July 12 programme under those circumstances, there is no reason to alter the July 20 programme,” he said.

The National Conference has announced the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar to press for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS).