Srinagar, Mar 09 (KNO): Congress workers on Monday staged a protest in Srinagar against the proposed India–US trade deal, alleging it could adversely affect the country's economic interests and hurt key sectors, including Kashmir’s apple industry.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the protest was held at the party headquarters here in Lal Chowk as part of a nationwide call given by Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on the opening day of the Parliament session.
A large number of party workers and functionaries from Srinagar and adjoining areas gathered at the headquarters despite restrictions.
However, police and CRPF personnel deployed in the area did not allow the protesters to march towards the Divisional Commissioner’s office, following which the workers staged a sit-in at the party office premises.
The protest was led by Srinagar district coordinator and MLA Nizamuddin Bhat and District Congress President Dr Audil Farooq Mir. Youth Congress leaders and several block-level functionaries also joined the demonstration.
Addressing the gathering, Bhat said the proposed trade arrangement could impact India’s economy and particularly affect apple growers in Kashmir. He urged the Union government to reconsider the agreement in the larger interest of the country.
During the protest, Congress workers raised slogans against the Centre and demanded restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)