Er Rasheed led PUF stages sit in against ban on civilian traffic on Kashmir highway, decries silence of NC MPs amid cries over delay in elections

Srinagar/July, 5 : The recently launched Peoples United Front (PUF) here on Friday staged a sit-in protest at Press colony Srinagar against ban on civilian traffic on Kashmir highway and suspending train services between Banihal and Kashmir. The protesters were holding play cards and banners and chanting slogans “Yatri agar Insaan Hein, Kya Kashmiri Haiwaan Hein”, Yatri Agar Mehmaan Hein, Kashmiri Bhi Insaan Hein”.
Talking to reporters the PUF leader Er. Rasheed denounced the ban and called it gross violation of fundamental rights of people of Kashmir. He said “Who doesn’t know that more than security agencies Kashmiris make Yatra a success but by creating issues just to defame Kashmiris and make their life miserable New Delhi is exposing its colonial mindset and hatred towards Kashmiris. It is unfortunate that Yatra is being communalized for political gains and New Delhi is giving notion that Kashmiris are anti-Hindu. Not only common men but students, patients, government employees and business community is suffering and entire Kashmir feels caged and jailed”. Er. Rasheed challenged government to withdraw the security cover on highway and see how Kashmiris Muslims will facilitate and protect the Yatris and make Yatra success. Er. Rasheed criticized NC leadership and said that people have a right to know what NC is doing over the issue. He said “NC is crying about just votes and elections. If party claims to be representing regional aspirations, it must join hands with other forces to fight the state suppression. However despite having three MPs in Lok Sabha the party seems to have compromised everything.”