Defying strict restrictions AIP Supremo and MLA Langate Er. Rasheed today along with scores of volunteers succeeded in making it near Jamia Masjid Srinagar to offer Friday prayers as the same continuous to be under siege for the consecutive 19th occasion. People from Nowhata and adjoining areas of Downtown joined the devotees and started chanting forceful slogans against the siege of Jami Masjid. According to a statement issued to KNS, however a large contingent of police and paramilitary forces headed by S.P North prevented Er. Rasheed from entering the Jamia Mosque and this resulted in scuffle between devotees and security forces, resulting in injuries to Er. Rasheed and few more volunteers. Police disbursed the mob using force, however Er. Rasheed was dragged and his clothes were torned during his arrest and he along with two dozen devotees were lodged in Police Station Nowhatta.
Talking to Media Persons before his arrest, Er. Rasheed accused Mehbooba Mufti of following dictates from intelligence agencies and Indian Home Ministry. He said “there can be nothing shameful than the act that the main historic mosque continuous to be under siege for 19th consecutive Friday and India myth of so called secularism and religious freedom stands exposed and it needs no authentication that the radical fanatic right wing Hindu forces have taken over control of India and are doing everything to make India a Hindu Rashtra. However these communal forces need to realize that J&K was never part of India and whatsoever the radical forces want to do in rest of India, cannot be allowed to be implemented in J&K”. He accused J&K Police of working like Private Army for the current Nagpur run collation and condemned the Govt. for facilitating fascists like Mohan Bhagwat to throw venom against Muslims but prevents Muslims from offering prayers in the Largest and Historic Jamia Masjid at Srinagar. (KNS)