Protest, bandh against MLA Rashid�s remarks

Excelsior CorrespondentMENDHAR, Sept 29: Strong protest and bandh was observed by one community in Mendhar town against the provocative and anti-social remarks of� MLA Engineer Rashid during public address at Bus Stand Mendhar last evening.The members from� Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Vishav Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal,� Beopar Mandal, RSS, Hanumam Mandir� and other social organizations from Mendhar tehsil assembled at Hanuman Mandir today and held a meeting. They expressed strong resentment over the provocative speech of MLA over beef issue hurting religious sentiments of Hindu community.� They also raised slogans against police and local administration for remaining mute spectator.The local market mainly remained closed� as mark of protest and the members after speeches took out protest march towards� main bazaar. They demanded arrest of Engineer Rashid and registration of an FIR against him.Beopar Mandal Mendhar president Parveen Kumar Sawhney said that MLA tried to disturb peace in the town by raising highly objectionable issue and hurt the sentiments of� other community. The MLA also spoke against High Court orders and claimed that there are 70 % Muslims in the State and they would not obey the court orders on beef ban and thus provoked people. He condemned police and local administration for inaction. SD Sabha leader Satish Sharma, Vikas Sharma from RSS and several others also spoke on the occasion. The situation turned tense and administration deployed additional police force to avert possible communal tension.Additional SP Poonch Amit Gupta, SDM Sher� Singh� and SDPO Shahid Nahim reached the spot and discussed the issue with the agitating people. The people demanded registration of FIR against MLA. They also alleged intelligence and police failure on the issue and said that MLA was allowed to spit venom at Mendhar and Surankote and police remained mute spectator. The administration assured an action in this regard. The MLA carried signature campaign and returned to Valley this morning.