Strongly opposing the ban imposed for two days every week over vehicular movement on Jammu- Srinagar highway, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday termed the gag akin to turning Kashmir into a virtual prison.
Addressing a joint press conference at PDP head office here, party General Secretary Abdul Haq Khan and MLC Mohammad Khurshid Alam said that the gag order has been issued in haste and without taking into consideration the fact that this highway is the only functional road link connecting the landlocked Valley with the outer world. They added that as per the latest Tuglaki Farmaan, no civilian traffic will be allowed on the highway on Sunday and Wednesday every week. The leaders said that it will turn Kashmir into a virtual prison and fate of business fraternity, students, people associated with tourism will be dreadful. “Such an anarchic order is new to Kashmir’s modern history. Even when in the year 1999 Kargil war took place, there was no such gag imposed then. One fails to understand what message the government of India intends to give by issuing such order. On ground, the gag is viewed as anarchic, illegal and reminiscent of the colonial era,” said the PDP leaders.
They also questioned the government over giving least importance to the security of the PDP leaders in the state amid the current uncertain situation. They added that the administration is sadistically singling out the PDP and providing its leaders and contesting candidates least security and vehicles which are in dilapidated condition. “Such a partial and unconstitutional way of treatment is unacceptable to us and the government is deliberately jeopardising the security of the PDP leaders. Even our candidates from north and central Kashmir aren’t being provided the requisite security as per the Standard Operating Procedure. We urge the administration to take remedial measures at an earliest,” duo said.
