Srinagar MP slams Police for removing anti-alcohol hoardings
Srinagar: National Conference (NC) MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi Saturday hit out at Jammu and Kashmir Police for removing anti-alcohol hoardings in Srinagar, saying the cops should not behave like a “colonial power”.
Traders had on Friday put the hoardings outside their establishments, saying they welcome tourists with open arms but urge them not to consume liquor and drugs.
Mehdi’s terse remarks came after the police reportedly removed signboards and standees put up by the traders outside their shops in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk here to appeal to the tourists visiting Kashmir to refrain from consuming liquor and drugs. Photographs of police taking away the standees in their vehicles emerged on social media. However, the police did not comment on the issue.
“Even appealing to tourists to respect local sensitivities is now illegal in Kashmir. Will @JmuKmrPolice clarify which law was violated by the signboard? Or is the only law in place the one that silences Kashmiris?” Mehdi wrote in a post on X.
Mehdi, the MP from Srinagar, said the “colonial LG administration in cahoots with the security forces, has turned Kashmir into an Orwellian nightmare — where people can’t protest, safeguard their identity, or even speak for their culture”.
“Suppression breeds resentment. The more you push Kashmiris to the wall, the stronger their will to break it down. Kashmiris like any other society in this country have the right to preserve and protect their culture and faith,” he added.
The MP said the J-K police are “advised” to not work like a “colonial power”, but work and behave as local police guided by law and respectful to the community and its sensitivities.
The hoardings put up by the traders said, “Welcome dear tourists. The Traders Association, Central Lal Chowk invites you to experience the beauty of our heaven on earth! For a memorable and enjoyable trip, we kindly request: Love and cherish your family.
“Avoid liquor, drugs, spitting on roads and smoking. Respect our culture and traditions. Stay blessed and enjoy time in our enchanting city,” the sign boards put up at several places in Lal Chowk, had read.
