PDP blocks secretariat gates in protest
In a bizarre act, the Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday briefly locked the gates of civil secretariat here to protest the curfews and other security restrictions imposed off and on in the Valley areas with a view to hold back protests called by separatists.
The high drama was witnessed when PDP president Mehbooba Mufti along with her party legislators and other key functionaries relocated to the civil secretariat building in the afternoon to hold a protest and later while speaking to reporters claimed that they locked the gates of the premises “to make the government feel how people of Kashmir are feeling inside their besieged homes”. The partymen were holding photographs of those killed in recent police firings and other actions and those depicting the life in Srinagar areas during the curfews and security crackdowns besides placards seeking an end to human rights violations.
Though mediapersons were shortly before the reported show called up by an aide of Ms Mufti informing them she and other PDP MLAS will be briefing them near the civil secretariat, the police officials refused them access beyond a security barricade set up at about 100 yards from the main entrance to the seat of power. Later the PDP legislators claimed they had locked the secretariat gates at around 2 pm. Defending their action, they said that the people of the Valley have been forced to remain indoors due to frequent imposition of curfew and stringent restrictions. “Why not make the secretariat a jail also,” Ms Mufti asked.
She also alleged that the Valley’s nearly five million population is feeling insecure and facing tremendous hardships due to police crackdowns and curfews. Eyewitnesses said that the PDP legislators tried to enter the secretariat premises but security officials came in their way leading to a verbal clash between the two sides.
“We locked up the secretariat so that the decision makers inside know how people feel under detention,” she said and demanding the release of “our children” before the start of Ramzan. Reports say the police has arrested more than 1,000 youth and political activists from across the Valley during the ongoing unrest.
People have complained policemen have seized the situation for extortion.
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