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Pro-India party Locks Up Chief Minister's office in Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

The leaders of pro-India political party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by its president Mehbooba Mufti staged protests against the killing of youth in Indian-administered Kashmir and locked up the Civil Secretariat housing chief minister's office. The pro-India party has demanded release of all the arrested persons and lifting of restrictions.

Mehbooba and her party's lawmakers took out a protest rally in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir on Thursday afternoon. Carrying placards and banners to highlight the atrocities on women, children and public by the government forces, Mehbooba and her party lawmakers demanded dismantling of repressive arrangements in place to muzzle the voice of people.

Chanting anti-government slogans, the protesting lawmakers locked the main entrance of the civil secretariat (highest government office in Srinagar housing Chief minister's office) and staged a sit-in. They were demanding action against the police and paramilitary soldiers involved in killing of youth. At least 17 persons, mostly teenagers have died in police and paramilitary soldiers firing in Indian administered Kashmir since June 11. Two other youth drowned during police chases.

Talking to the media, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said, "We have locked up the secretariat so that the decision makers inside know how people feel under detention. The Secretariat lock down is a step to make government feel the taste of siege laid on people of Valley. The secretariat is of no use to people now as the government is dysfuntional and has let lose a reign of terror on masses. The Government had let loose a reign of terror and detained at least 1400 teenagers. The continued undeclared curfew and inhuman restrictions have converted Kashmir into a large prison".

She demanded the immediate release of all the persons arrested by police. "The undue restrictions had brought life to a standstill and economic despair to the entire society especially the weaker and the vulnerable sections. Even though the community has responded to the needs of poor, the government did not even allow the relief goods to reach those in need of them," she said.

Mehbooba said her party will contribute their might to the relief effort and help in saving the poor from starvation. "The government should lift the restrictions and release all the detainees including separatist leaders before the start of holy month of fasting in August," she demanded.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.