Srinagar, Aug 9: Awami Itehad Party (AIP) today held strong protest and demanded the release of their leader and Member of Parliament from Baramulla, Er Sheikh Rashid, to enable him to represent his constituency.
Click here to watch video
Leading the protest, Er Rashid's brother and MLA Langate, Sheikh Khursheed, said that keeping the MP in jail is akin to "strangulating democracy."
"We had planned a protest from our party office at Sangarmal to Press Colony, but it was not allowed. Even those already present were not permitted to come out. We demand his release," he said.
He added that Er Rashid-who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail-has completed six years in prison, and several other political prisoners continue to languish in various jails across J&K and beyond.
During the protest, party workers held placards and raised slogans, demanding the release of Er Rashid, who was arrested in connection with a terror funding case.
Khursheed said that according to court orders, jail authorities are required to cover Er Rashid's travel expenses to Parliament, but they have charged a huge amount instead.
"We have appealed this in court and are expecting relief."
He added that Er Rashid's regular bail plea is scheduled for a hearing in October at the Delhi High Court. "We remain hopeful that, to keep democracy alive, Er Rashid will be released."
Apart from Khursheed, several party leaders including Ishtiyak Qadri, Nazir Ahmad Khan, and Firdous Baba joined the protest.