Jammu / Srinagar, Aug 5:(KNS) Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has said the first anniversary of the abrogation of special status and disbanding and downgrading of historical J&K state was observed under strict undeclared curfew in the whole Kashmir besides arrest and detention of several  Congress leaders in Jammu region while  complete liberty was available to BJP. 
Reacting to the State of affairs, JKPCC Chief Spokesperson adv. Ravinder Sharma Ex MLC has strongly condemned the illegal and uncalled for restrictions on the Congress leaders when the Party had only launched the online #speak up J and K # five days campaign from yesterday onwards in a most democratic manner without any call for protest today. 
However, former minister Ch Gharu Ram Chairman Kissan Congress was arrested in R S Pura today when he was on way to offer prayers in the local Hanuman temple in the wake of the today's shilanyas in Ayudhaya. This is unfortunate as the Administration allowed gatherings of BJP all over for celebrations as scheduled without any restrictions. 
Similarly, several middle rung Congress leaders in Rajouri, Poonch and other parts of the region were also not allowed to come out and police detained them within four walls of their houses. This is despite that Congress had announced that no physical protest would be held except our democratic protest against the Centre’s actions which continues since 5th last year and the online campaign is going on in a peaceful manner.
 Party said that the severe restrictions even after one year of the  disbanding and downgrading of historical J and K state along with its special status,  reflects the nervousness of the BJP as the people are greatly annoyed over several fake promises and totally destroying the historical state by its disbanding  , division and downgrading to the level of UT which is like a Municipal corporation. Several often-repeated promises of restoration of statehood and conditioning it with restoration of peace and normalcy and elimination of terrorism is too far-fetched dream and BJP is hoodwinking the people of J and K. The full statehood with constitutional guarantees for safeguards to jobs and land is the demand of the people across regions and religions, but the Centre government and BJP are ignoring the sentiments of the people. 
The trade and tourism including the industry is at its lowest and loss of thousands of crores of rupees have been suffered by the business class and the economy of the erstwhile state. The transport sector has been under severe burden while government has been giving bitter and heavy doses of one-time toll taxes and toll taxes at a time when they are unable to repay their loan installments and earn their livelihood. 
 The youth are frustrated due to large scale unemployment and unfavorable orders by the BJP govt and UT Administration especially the domicile laws to facilitate the outside youth to be eligible for all jobs when J and K Youth are deprived of even full speed Internet. 
JKPCC has expressed great concern over the strong arm methods and arbitrary and unjustified restrictions on the opposition especially on the Congress leaders and withdrawal and downgrading of their security in the sensitive environment. This approach is contrary to the fundamental principles of democracy.(KNS)