NC, PDP stage protest against Delimitation Commission

SRINAGAR — Even after placing PAGD leaders under house arrest, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday staged protest against the Delimitation Commission in Kashmir capital Srinagar.

National Conference workers and leaders including former Speaker Mubarak Gul and Shameema Firdous assembled at National Conference headquarters at Nawai Subah Srinagar and started a march through the interiors of Jehlum Bund that passed through Radio Kashmir Road amid sloganeering against the Delimitation Commission.

The protesting party leaders and workers alleged that under a well planned conspiracy, the voice of people of Kashmir especially PAGD leaders is being stifled. They castigated the government for placing PAGD leaders, especially Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, under house arrest.

The protesters raised slogans like ‘Delimitation Commission hi, hi,’ ‘Jis Kashmir Ko Khoon Say Seencha, Woh Kashmir Hamara Hai’.

While talking to news agency Kashmir News Trust, National Conference leader Mubarak Gul said that it is very unfortunate that PAGD leaders were placed under house arrest and disallowed to carry out a peaceful protest.

He said staging protest is a democratic right but the government in Jammu and Kashmir doesn’t like democratic activities and muzzles the voices of the people. He said they reject the proposed draft of the Delimitation Commission and won’t accept it.

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party leaders also staged a protest against the abrogation of Article 370 and Delimitation Commission.

PDP workers and leaders led by Muhammad Yasin Bhat and Rouf Bhat assembled on Jehlum Bund and marched towards road. Police tried to stop them but the workers continued to raise slogans.

Bhat said that ‘hooliganism’ in Kashmir should be stopped and people should be allowed to breathe freely. “This muscle power won’t work and we will continue to raise our voice against the policies and measures which are anti-people in nature,” he said.