Handwara: Awami Itehaad Party (AIP) President and MLA Langate, Engineer Abdul Rasheed Sheikh led a protest march in Handwara against the civilian killings at the hands of security forces in Shopian, Kupwara, Handwara and other places.

The protesters raised pro-plebiscite and anti-forces slogans and demanded immediate end to what they termed as ‘state terrorism’.

According to a statement issued here, a spokesman of the AIP said that the SHO Handwara tried to stop the procession but the protesters defied the restrictions and moved ahead.

The spokesman said that a large contingent of police led by Shabir Ahmad Khan (SDPO) stopped the procession near main chowk Handwara and arrested Er Rasheed and lodged him in Police Station.

Talking to media persons prior to his arrest, Er Rasheed appealed J&K police not to forget that they have to live and die with the society and should not act as collaborators for the army.

“World community should take notice that who is indulging in terrorism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. There can be nothing shameless than the fact that those who were supposed to protect the life and property of innocents are after the blood of not only young men but are not even sparing the women folk,” he said.

Er Rasheed accused Mehbooba Mufti of being a mute spectator and said that her condemnations over these killings have lost the relevance, for the reason that she being the Chief Minister of the state has to act rather making a hue and cry.

“Mehbooba Mufti’s condemnations reveal that she has lost the control and nothing is in her hands,” he said.

Guest