PDP objects to male cops frisking ladies' belongings in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 21 (UNI) Taking a strong exception to the reports about male cops searching the personnel belongings of females in the Kashmir valley, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for immediate end to such ''objectionable practice''.

We strongly disapprove the practice of male cops frisking the personal belongings of the women in Kashmir, particularly in the city, said a spokesman of the PDP, a partner in the Congress-led government in the state.

However, he said wherever necessary, only female cops must check the belongings of the women, especially their hand-bags.

The PDP spokesman said that such actions of the police and the security forces are outrageous and should be stopped forthwith.

'' The government must issue standing instructions to the police and other security agencies to stop the practice immediately,'' he added.

Expressing resentment over the tremendous inconvenience and hardships, the people are put to because of the restrictions on the movement of traffic in view of the assembly session, he said the government must ensure that the people are not put to any trouble as over-enthusiastic security restrictions have almost crippled the civilian movement in the city.

''To aggravate the miseries of the people are the vehicles of the security forces and police that are seen frequently violating the traffic restrictions in the city adding to the mess, '' he said adding that while people from all walks of life are affected by traffic jams, the patients are the worst hit.

Calling for streamlining the traffic movement in the city, the spokesman said the government must immediately launch a drive to clear all the bottlenecks on important roads.

He said the government must also start construction of second bride near the existing Zero bridge on river Jehlum to ease the traffic movement, as a major chunk of the traffic follows this road leading to unending jams.

He also called for construction of more fly-overs in and around the city to facilitate smooth movement of traffic.

UNI