Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 7: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today termed the Government order imposing restrictions on civilian traffic movement on Udhampur -Baramulla section of the National Highway twice a week as unacceptable and asked people to defy it.
Mehbooba, while leading party leaders and activists in defiance of the order in Srinagar asserted that Delhi can’t dictate when the people of Kashmir should travel and when shouldn’t.
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“Kashmir is not Palestine and Delhi can’t dictate terms of our travel like Israel. Kashmir belongs to its people and they are free to choose when and where to travel. It is our choice whether we use our resources or not, the Government has no right to decide anything on it,” Mehbooba said.
The PDP president told reporters that if the Government of India thinks that they can suppress the people of Kashmir by such acts, they are wrong and her party will leave no stone unturned to revoke the ban.
Mehbooba also announced that PDP would challenge the order in the court. “We are also approaching the court in order the revoke the ban, because why would Kashmiris need permission from GoI to use their own roads,” she told reporters.
The PDP president also said that students including girl students are going through a tough phase as they cannot attend their classes.
Earlier, PDP leaders including Khurshid Aalam, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Waheed Para shouting anti-order and anti-Government slogans gathered at Srinagar Bypass, along with some supporters carrying banners demanding an end to the Government order.
Later, addressing party workers conventions in Beerwa Budgam and Pattan in Baramulla, Mehbooba asked people to defy the order and assured them of all support against any coercive action by the Government as a result of such defiance.
“Delhi and its people in the State can’t suppress the people of Kashmir. They want to turn the Valley into an open prison. We won’t let it happen. I urge all of you to rise against such a repressive measure, defy this order and you have our support in doing so,” PDP president said.
Mehbooba also said that there is threat to the special status of the State and his party will fight any move aimed at revoking it. She said that Article 35A and Article 370 that give special status to the State if revoked will have disastrous consequences. She said it is the bridge between Jammu and Kashmir and India and if it breaks, it will have direct impact on its relations with the country.
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