Srinagar, Jan 19: Activists of J&K unit of Samajwadi Party led by general secretary Fayaz Ahmad Bhat today staged a peaceful protest here on the issues of price hike and corruption in government departments.
 Bhat said the protest was part of the nationwide demonstration called by party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav against the steep rise in prices of essential commodities and corruption in government departments.
 "Poor people particularly those living below poverty line and labour class are facing tremendous hardships in view of the manifold increase in prices of essential items," he said adding, "If the government fails to reverse the trend, people will face starvation in the coming days."
 The SP leader said as the state was already facing unemployment problem and government has miserably failed in addressing the issue, price rise has broken the back of the masses and has given birth to corrupt practices in government departments.
 Bhat also criticised the National Conference-led coalition government for its alleged failure to check destruction of forests by timber smugglers.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST