MLA Langate and AIP Supremo Er Rasheed has expressed serious concern over the continuous siege of Manigah and adjoining areas for the 18thconsecutive day in Kupwara district.In a statement to KNS, he said “There seems to be no justification and logic for continuing the crackdown for 18th consecutive day, despite ongoing chilly cold weather.Security forces have created lot of problems and inconvenience for the inhabitants of Humandar, Manzhar, Manigah, Kashmiri-Manigah, Hajinakah, Behaksabha, Halmathpora, Gonipora, Bhatpora, Joktiyal, Trumbnad and the innocent population has been left at the mercy of security forces.Passenger vehicles and even government employees are feeling scared from travelling the area which has resulted in miseries of the locals. The education of children has also been badly affected due to continuous siege. It seems as if army wants to punish thousands of people for none of their fault, but just to fulfill their ego and anger after death of the commanding officer in the area. Nobody from any other village is being allowed to enter in the area and many families have been forced to migrate. Army should not be given a free hand to punish thousands of citizens in the name of fighting militants. ”Er Rasheed appealed civil and police administration to intervene and get the siege ended, without further delay so that the inhabitants of the area take a sigh of relief. (KNS)