PUF protests against Highway ban

Srinagar, July 05 (RNA): People from different walks of life joined today the sit-in protest organized by People United Front (PUF) at Press colony Srinagar against highway ban and abandoning rail services between Banihal and Kashmir. The protesters were holding placards and banners and chanting slogans “Yatri agar Insaan Hein, Kya Kashmiri Haiwaan Hein”, Yatri Agar Mehmaan Hein, Kashmiri Bhi Insaan Hein”. On the occasion while talking to media Er. Rasheed denounced the ban and called it gross violation of fundamental rights of people of Kashmir. He said “Who doesn’t know that more than security agencies Kashmiris make Yatra a success but by creating issues just to defame Kashmiris and make their life miserable New Delhi is exposing its colonial mindset and hatred towards Kashmiris. It is unfortunate that Yatra is being communalized for political gains and New Delhi is giving notion that Kashmiris are anti-Hindu. Not only common men but students, patients, government employees and business community is suffering and entire Kashmir feels caged and jailed”. Er. Rasheed challenged government to withdraw the security cover on highway and see how Kashmiris Muslims will facilitate and protect the Yatris and make Yatra success. Er. Rasheed criticized NC leadership and said that people have a right to know what NC is doing over the issue. He said “NC is crying about just votes and elections. If party claims to be representing regional aspirations, it must join hands with other forces to fight the state suppression. However despite having three MPs in Lok Sabha the party seems to have compromised everything.”
Speaking to press, JKPM
General Secretary Shehla Rashid said that, "The centre is treating Kashmir as a land without people. How do they expect Kashmiris to accept such restrictions without getting agitated? It is clear that the centre wants to provoke an uprising in Kashmir." (RNA)