Feel cheated by govt inaction: Kashmiris at protest

Even as the protest was about to start,some of them clashed with a group of Kashmiri Pandits who were also protesting at the spot. The police intervened and the Kashmiri Pandit protesters were led away.

Irfan Rashid,a Delhi-based businessman,said: “So far we constantly trusted the government and hoped our leaders will take decisive action. But over generations we have been neglected and now even the educated Kashmiri community is being fooled into believing that the government will do something to put an end to the violence… Be it the Shopian rape case or the Sopore and Baramulla killings,the government has never bothered to come and check on the innocents who are suffering there. We feel cheated and there is a limit to our suffering.”

Another protester Saba said: “I don’t want to recount my bad experiences because they are bitter and many. The only wish I want to make is even though our generation could not witness the Kashmir that was called a ‘Paradise on Earth’,at least our children should be able to see the glory of Kashmir as our grandparents saw.”

The banners and posters painted a grim picture as they listed the death toll and number of rape cases over the last few months. The protesters demanded that the killings should stop and be investigated and the Valley be declared a no weapon zone. They also wanted the troops pulled out of civilian areas and Section 144 of the AFSPA withdrawn.