Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra accused the police of harassing party workers and leaders during a hunger strike at Shaheedi Chowk, Jammu, aimed at restoring statehood to the Union Territory.

The Congress launched its 'Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq' campaign with a chain hunger strike, initially planned at the Maharaja Hari Singh statue site from August 10 to 19. After the district administration denied permission to erect a tent, the party shifted the protest to its headquarters at Shaheedi Chowk, but police still barred the setup, forcing protesters onto the footpath.

Karra alleged that a Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and a Station House Officer (SHO) heckled and manhandled him and other senior leaders, including MLAs and former ministers, while photographing them to disrupt the strike. He condemned the police’s actions as “highly irresponsible” and accused them of acting like a “frontal organisation of the BJP.”

Karra referenced past incidents, including police using barbed wire during a Congress protest, risking injuries, and assaulting Rajouri MLA Iftikhar Ahmed. “If this is their attitude towards senior leaders, what must common people face?” he questioned, demanding accountability and urging the police to stop targeting peaceful protesters.

Also Read: Congress Blasts Centre’s Failure to Curb J-K Terrorism