Protest against abrogation of Article 370
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Oct 15: At least 13 women including sister and daughter of former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah, were today arrested and sent to Central Jail Srinagar for protesting against scrapping of special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Thirteen women including Suraya Abdullah, Saifya Abdullah, Hawa Bashir, Quratul Ain, Bushra Khan, Ruqaya, Muslim Jan, Zahida, Shamshada Bashir, Fareeda Naqashbandi, Saleema Jan, Dr Najfa Alvi and Sushoba Bharvay appeared in Partap Park Srinagar where police was heavily deployed.
As they assembled to protest against the scrapping of the Articles 370 and 35A police swooped on them, they were bundled in vehicles and took to nearby Kothi Bagh Police Station. They were later sent to Central Jail Srinagar.
From Central Jail they were taken to JLNM hospital in Rainawari area of Srinagar where medical checkup of the women was conducted before they were lodged in the Central Jail Srinagar.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Suraya Abdullah said: “On August 5, we were locked inside our homes and Article 370 was abrogated. This is a marriage by compulsion which won’t work.”
Quratul Ain, writer and activist said that dissent is part of democracy and questioned Government’s move to disallow their protest. “We had dissent to hold placards and sit silently inside the park. The moment we tried to enter, police stopped us. They asked us questions regarding our permission and other things. All the entrances of the park were shut. Is this democracy?”, the writer asked.
Hawa Bashir, another woman activist said that they intended to protest against the scrapping of Article 370 and 35A. “Nothing will happen with the opening of the telephone lines. They have attacked our pride”, she said.
“They should at least allow us to express ourselves for one minute. We have been humiliated and betrayed. This was a peaceful protest. If we do not have a right to hold a peaceful sit in, what will we do? What kind of Government is this? Why are they threatening us?”, asked another woman activist.
Farooq Abdullah, 83, who had been detained at his home in Srinagar was placed under house arrest and charged under the Public Safety Act (PSA), a stringent law that enables detention without trial for three to six months. Omar Abdullah, the former CM is also under detention for last over two months.
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