Defying strict curfew restrictions AIP today carried a strong protest march in Kupwara against state sponsored terrorism and use of excessive force against unarmed civilians all over the valley. Scores of protestors led by Er Rasheed MLA Langate carrying play-cards marched towards main chowk Kupwara and raised slogans against the continuous ongoing killings in valley. Protestors were raising slogans seeking end to state terrorism, resolution of Kashmir dispute and making killers accountable. Protestors tried to march towards main chowk Kupwara but were stopped by a heavy contingent of police and paramilitary forces, which led to disturbance for a long time. However police arrested Er Rasheed along with many colleagues and were detained in the police station. Before his arrest Er Rasheed said that Kashmir is virtually under martial-law and the civilian government is absolutely missing at the ground.
He alleged that people have been left at the mercy of army and other security agencies and GoI is trying to derive political dividends from the atrocities of forces, by shamelessly accusing that militants do join the peaceful mobs, but needs to understand that it can’t hide its failures and mass uprising against the state.Er Rasheed reiterated his demand seeking resignation of Nayeem Akhtar for playing dirty politics over publication of newspapers and said that while government punished SSP Budgam for none of his fault. Er Rasheed asked that everybody should take notice of the fact that government punished SSP for a crime which majority believe he has been made an escape-goat, but didn’t punished even a single killer in uniform in any part of state. (KNS)