Jammu, Mar 03: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate Shiekh Khursheed on Monday staged a protest in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly premises, demanding justice for two civilians recently killed in Sopore and Kathua, as well as the restoration of Article 370 and statehood. Despite heavy rains, Khursheed sat on the stairs with a banner calling for a judicial probe into the deaths.
Khursheed’s protest took place amidst the opening day of the Budget session, where he also attempted to raise his banner in the Central Hall during the Lieutenant Governor’s address. However, assembly staff confiscated one of the banners and prevented him from continuing the demonstration. The MLA’s protest highlighted the killings of two civilians, Makhan Din and Waseem Ahmed, in Baramulla and Kathua, respectively.
“The killing of civilians must stop. Justice must be delivered to the families of these victims,” Khursheed said, urging the government to conduct a fair investigation and provide compensation to the families. He said that no investigation had been initiated so far, and the families had not been given copies of the FIRs.
In addition to demanding justice for the two victims, the AIP leader raised concerns over the missing of three youths from Devsar, Qazigund. Riyaz Ahmad Bajad (25), Showkat Ahmad Bajad (18), and Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, who went missing on February 13, have yet to be traced despite several months passing.
The MLA criticised the police for not providing updates to the families, stressing the need for transparency. “Police have not issued any statement regarding their missing. The families deserve to know what is being done,” he said, adding that this lack of action further underlined the urgency of a judicial inquiry.
Khursheed called for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and the release of political prisoners. He also demanded an end to the use of the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which he described as oppressive measures.
