Article 35-A: Protests across Kashmir

Peaceful protests were held today across Kashmir against the legal challenge to the validity of Article 35-A of the Constitution in the Supreme Court.

The protesters wowed to defend the constitutional provision, that bars people from outside Jammu and Kashmir acquire any immovable property in the state.

Traders organisations took out a protest march and held a sit-in at Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Lal Chowk in support of continuation of Article 35-A.

Similar rallies were held at Zadibal, Karfali Mohalla, Rainawari, Anchaar, Dalgate, Rambagh, Khanyar and Parimpora in the city, officials said.

Peaceful rallies were taken out at several places in other districts and towns of the valley, they said.

However, there were minor stone pelting incidents reported from some parts of the valley as well, the officials said, adding the miscreants were chased away by the security forces personnel deployed for maintaining law and order.

There were no reports of anyone getting hurt in the brief clashes, they said.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear pleas challenging the validity of the Article 35-A tomorrow.

The state government has filed an application before the Registrar of the Supreme Court, informing that it is going to seek adjournment of the hearing of the petition in view of the "ongoing preparations for the upcoming panchayat and urban local body and municipal elections in the state".