Srinagar: Independent legislator and MLA Langate Engineer Rashid on Monday led a protest march in Handwara against the killing of seven civilians in Kulgam on Sunday.
In a statement, which was issued by Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) said that hundreds joined the protest march despite restrictions imposed by the authorities in Handwara.
“Protesters with black flags and placards marched towards main Chowk Handwara raising strong slogans in favor of plebiscite and against state terrorism,” said the statement.
Addressing the gathering at main Chowk Handwara, Rashid reiterated that Kashmiris were not enemies of peace but cannot surrender their legitimate rights.
“It is shameful that rather taking permanent measures to resolve Kashmir dispute forever, New Delhi and its proxies are busy in distorting the facts and accusing Kashmiris who are the worst victims of state terrorism. Whatsoever happened in Kulgam should be condemned by all and there is no excuse to justify these killings,” the statement quoted Rasheed as having said.
He urged the political parties not to “disgrace” the people further and make out a joint strategy to save Kashmir from further bloodbath, added the statement.
“It is failure of the political leadership that New Delhi is enjoying our killings and political parties are strengthening their vote bank from Srinagar to New Delhi over dead bodies of Kashmiris”.
Rashid accused the cops of Jammu and Kashmir Police of “forgetting their basic duties and doing worst to your own people.”
“Someday the local cops may realize that all what they are doing is shameful but till then it may be too late and the gap between masses and the local cops may become unbridgeable. The local cops will have to give up arrogance and understand that J&K dispute is not about silencing Kashmiris through the barrel of the gun but a political dispute that needs a political resolution through Right to Self Determination,” he said, as per the statement.
The protesters, according to the statement, were stopped by a heavy contingent of the police and the CRPF from marching ahead. “Rashid along with few colleagues were taken into custody and lodged in police station Handwara,” it added.
Meanwhile a complete shutdown is being observed in Kashmir in the aftermath of seven civilian killings in Kulgam which took place on Sunday. A powerful explosion after a gunfight in Laroo village of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district in which three militants were killed led to the death of the civilians.
In Srinagar’s Old City, restrictions were clamped to foil any protests against the Kulgam killings. In Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Saraf Kadal, Maharaj Gunj, Gojwara, Khanyar, Safa Kadal and other areas of the Old City, armed forces were keeping a tight vigil to keep protesters at bay, witnesses said. At many places, forces have laid razor wire to restrict movement of people.
