PDP stages protest against ‘harassment of Kashmiri people’, ‘curbs’ on media
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday held a protest in Kashmir capital Srinagar against what they say ‘harassment of Kashmiri people’, arrest spree, continued detention of political prisoners, dismissal of government of employees and other issues.
Eyewitnesses told news agency Kashmir News Trust that scores of leaders led by senior leader Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura assembled outside PDP’s headquarters in Srinagar. The leaders took out a march and proceeded towards Polo View, however, they were stopped by police that disallowed them to proceed towards city centre Lal Chowk.
The protesting leaders were carrying placards that read, ‘stop harassment’, ‘restore freedom of press’, ‘stop arbitrary detentions’, ‘release political prisoners’, ‘stop implementing new laws in Jammu and Kashmir’ and ‘reinstate Anganwari workers.’
While talking to media, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura said: ““We are protesting against the unprecedented harassment of people from the BJP led government. Swords are kept hanging over our heads and a barrel is pointed towards our heads, as there is no space left to express our opinion,” he said.
He said during PDP rule, the problems of people were addressed without any delay but the present BJP dispensation is adding to the hardships of the people. “Anganwari Helpers were terminated, government employees are being shown door, media is being pressurized and stopped from writing or showing truth. There is unprecedented harassment. Political leaders are still being languished in jails and they are not released. Is this what they say normalcy,” Hanjura said.
“We will continue to raise our voice collectively and won’t tolerate new laws that are being enforced upon us,” he said. (KNT)
