JAMMU: In a significant demonstration, Sunil Dimple, President of Mission Statehood, spearheaded a protest to convey a loud and clear message to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Jammu and Kashmir government. The protest involved burning copies of exorbitant electricity bills while demanding essential relief measures for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, including **200 units of free electricity**, **12 free LPG cylinders**, and **double ration** starting from January 1, 2025.
Dimple emphasized the urgent need to resume the **Darbar Move**, which he argued is crucial for the welfare of traders and transporters who have suffered heavy losses since its suspension. He addressed the crowd, asserting that poor families are burdened by high electricity tariffs and are struggling with ration shortages. Dimple called on Chief Minister Abdullah, who was holding a high-level meeting at his residence during the protest, to take immediate action on these demands.
The protest also included appeals to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and implement an employment package for the youth. Dimple urged that the Prime Minister should announce in the upcoming parliamentary session the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's Dogra state special status along with adherence to the conditions of the Instrument of Accession.
Prominent leaders supporting Dimple during this protest included Billo Pahlwan, S Kala Singh, Arun Verma, Lohari Shaha, Vijay Virdi, Balu Kumar, Babu Singh, and Deepak Kumar. Dimple promised that he and his supporters would continue to fight for their demands, which include **free drinking water** and electricity for all residents in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as scrapping the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan.
