Er Rashid Begins 48-Hour Hunger Strike in Tihar Jail, Says AIP

SRINAGAR: Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) on Saturday said its leader and incarcerated Baramulla MP, Engineer Rashid, has begun a 48-hour hunger strike inside New Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi stated that Rashid commenced the strike at 11 am, as outlined in a letter addressed to the Director General of Prisons. The symbolic protest will continue until the morning of 22 September.

According to Inam, the hunger strike is intended to highlight what Rashid terms the “hypocrisy” of both Indian and Pakistani governments, who are celebrating cricket diplomacy and the Asia Cup while “ignoring the pain, sacrifices, and human rights” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He added that Rashid has dedicated the protest to awaken the conscience of people in both countries, stressing that nearly 70,000 lives have been lost in Kashmir since 1989 due to the hostility between India and Pakistan.