Srinagar, Jul 24: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday questioned the government’s decision to suspend rail services in Kashmir during Amarnath Yatra, stating that “deliberate moves are being made to harass local populace and create a wedge between different communities”.
In a statement issued here, PDP said that the pilgrimage has been going on in Kashmir Himalayas for centuries and it is the local Muslim population that has been by its earnest and hectic efforts making the Yatra successful and providing all possible comfort to the pilgrims.
“By suspending the rail services, the government is exposing the people to extreme hardships and such measures will have far-reaching consequences,” the party warned.
It also said that such an action goes contrary to Prime Minister’s ‘Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vishwas’ slogan and has the tendency to sow seeds of discord and disgruntlement.
The party urged the government to roll back the decision at an earliest.
In a separate statement, party urged the government to not harass people in the name of security checks, while lamenting that the “trend that has become a new norm in Kashmir Valley”.
The statement said that majority of the areas in Kashmir in view of the Yatra are witnessing unprecedented frisking at public places that is causing severe hardships to people at large. “Check-points created in every nook and corner has turned valley into a prison and the hardships being faced by students, patients and employees are immense and deeply saddening,” the statement said.
It urged the government to not harass common people “in the name of Yatra arrangements as it is the local Muslim population of Kashmir that has been making the pilgrimage successful for centuries.
“This bond of communal harmony needs to be further strengthened and not strangulated in the name of unnecessary frisking,” the statement said.
