Terming the detention of trade union leaders and flood hit people unjustified, former Agriculture Minister and Chairman Democratic Party Nationalist, Ghulam Hasan Mir Monday said that it has become a routine matter for PDP to muzzle the voice of common people. “Mourners were lodged in jails and police was directed not to allow anyone even to hold peaceful protests. Those who harp on battle of ideas and democratic process have got exposed now and people have come to know their hidden strategy,” Mir told CNS adding that the present government relies completely on police.He said that so-called ‘Revival Day’ is being celebrated by government to hoodwink the people. “There is nothing to celebrate. It is strange that those who wanted to mourn and raise voice against the official apathy were put behind the bars and the political workers of a political party (PDP) were allowed to participate in the celebrations in the name of ‘hollow’ Revival Day,” he said.
Mir said that people of Kashmir should understand that it was People’s Democratic Party which preferred ‘elections’ over ‘Rehabilitation’. “All the political parties in the State opposed the idea of conducting Assembly elections after floods but it was only PDP that preferred elections over rehabilitation of flood hit people,” Mir said and added that the move of the government to restrict the movement of people and traders was unjustified and against the spirit of democracy.Ghulam Hasan Mir said that PDP exploited the sentiments of the people. “During previous government PDP used to raise hue and cry when police did not allow people to protest on certain issue and now the same party has been muzzling the voice of common people. The dual approach and duplicity of this party is not going to help it in long run and this party has stood exposed before the people,” he said."People were expecting large-hearted approach from the Centre for rehabilitating the flood victims but even after one year, they have not taken a decision on the relief package for the state," Mir said adding that instead of putting traders into jails, this government should find ways and means to allay the suffering of flood hit people. (CNS)