Emotional Farewell for Er Rashid Despite Curbs, Says AIP Spokesman | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Despite what the Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) described as an “unprecedented crackdown” on its leadership and workers, thousands of supporters from different parts of North Kashmir gathered on Tuesday to bid an emotional farewell to Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Engineer Rashid, before he departed for Delhi.

According to an AIP spokesman, the administration imposed restrictions on several party leaders and activists in an attempt to prevent public gatherings. However, large crowds assembled along the route from Er Rashid’s native village to Srinagar to express solidarity with the jailed MP.

The spokesman alleged that police barriers were broken by supporters at several places as people attempted to catch a glimpse of Er Rashid and bid him goodbye. He further claimed that hundreds of supporters were locked inside Middle School Kargama, Gund Kohru, and the Rural Development Complex Langate to stop them from joining the farewell gatherings.

“A curfew-like situation prevailed across Mawar and adjoining areas of Handwara since early morning, with heavy police deployment and restrictions on movement reported from several locations,” the spokesman said.

The party also claimed that AIP General Secretary Prince Parveez and senior leaders, including Firdouse Baba, Advocate Dawood, Professor Naseer, Advocate Shahnawaz Abdullah, former DDC member Muzaffar Dar, Mohammad Akbar Rather, Aadil Nazir and Anayat Ahmad Bhat, besides dozens of workers and activists, were either summoned to police stations or kept under surveillance to prevent mobilisation.

The spokesman further alleged that police had again detained the AIP Pattan in-charge on Tuesday morning despite already obtaining a written bond from him earlier.

Before leaving his residence, Er Rashid visited the grave of his late father, Khazir Mohammad Sheikh. Witnesses, according to the party spokesman, said the MP became emotional while offering prayers at the graveyard, leading to emotional scenes among supporters present there.

The spokesman said men, women, elders and youth accompanied Er Rashid’s cavalcade amid slogans of support, while many women were seen weeping and praying for his safety and early return.

According to the party, people gathered at several locations including Watergam, Azad Gunj Baramulla, Delina, Sangrama, Potkha, Hygam, Palhallan, Pattan, Hanwara, Singpora, Narbal and Lawaypora, where supporters lined roadsides and rooftops to wave at the MP’s convoy.

The spokesman said the public response reflected what he termed as “the deep bond” Er Rashid shares with the people despite his prolonged incarceration.

“The scenes resembled an emotional farewell procession, with people following the convoy till the airport and describing Er Rashid as the voice of the oppressed and downtrodden,” the spokesman added.