‘Yatri agar mehmaan hein, Kashmiri bhi insaan hein’
PUF protests against fresh civilian restrictions in Kashmir
‘Govt communalising religious pilgrimage’
Srinagar: The fresh and probably unprecedented restrictions on civilian movement by the government during this year’s annual Amarnath Yatra is “gross violation of fundamental rights of Kashmiris”, People’s United Front (PUF) said on Friday.
The PUF, which constitutes the AIP and JKPM, alleged that by putting fresh restrictions on civilian movement along the highway stretch and train services, government of India wanted to “communalise” the Yatra.
Scores of PUF members held a sit-in at the Press Enclave here against the highway ban and abandoning rail services between Banihal and Kashmir.
The protesters held placards and banners and chanted slogans “Yatri agar insaan hein, kya Kashmiri haiwaan Hein”, “Yatri agar mehmaan hein, Kashmiri bhi insaan Hein”.
On the occasion, AIP President, Er Rasheed said the restrictions were a “gross violation of fundamental rights of Kashmiris.”
“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,” he said.
Rasheed said it was “unfortunate that the Yatra is being communalized for political gains and New Delhi is giving a notion that Kashmiris are anti-Hindu”.
Not only common men, but students, patients, government employees and business community was suffering due to the fresh restrictions and “entire Kashmir feels caged and jailed,” Rasheed said.
He also challenged the government to withdraw the security cover on highway “and see how Kashmiris Muslims will facilitate and protect the Yatris and make Yatra a success”.
Rasheed also criticized NC leadership and said that “people have a right to know what NC is doing over the issue”.
“NC is crying only for votes and elections. If the party claims to be representing regional aspirations, it must join hands with other forces to fight the state suppression,” he added.
Despite having three MPs in Lok Sabha, NC, Rasheed said, “seems to have compromised everything.”
On the occasion, JKPM General Secretary Shehla Rashid alleged that New Delhi was “following path of destruction and using Israeli policies to suppress Kashmiris and communalize religious pilgrimage”.
“While common Kashmiri is suffering, the union government is forcing state administration to take harsh measures just to make Kashmiris feel helpless,” she said.
Shehla said that life of people in south Kashmir “has become miserable and government is enjoying from the sufferings of Kashmiris”.
KV News
