PDP expresses concern over detention of HC leaders

Srinagar, Nov 13 (UNI) Expressing concern and dismay over the detention of separatist leaders and harassment of youth, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) said such measures were only going to vitiate the atmosphere further in Kashmir.

''We have cautioned that suppressing various political voices in the state would prove counterproductive,'' senior PDP leaders and former minister Tariq Hameed Karra and Mohammad Dilawar Mir said in a joint statement here today.

While expressing dismay over the detention of separatist political leaders and harassment of youth, they said the PDP had right from the beginning cautioned against rushing through the electoral process in view of the volatile situation prevailing in the State.

''The use of repressive measures would only worsen the already charged situation,'' they said.

Condemning the unwarranted use of force against Peoples Conference workers and activists in Kupwara, the PDP leaders called for an immediate end to such repressive tactics.

''In a democratic set-up everybody has a right to express his views and the decision should be left to the people to choose between the right and wrong,'' they said.

The PDP leaders said the situation should be dealt with political sagacity and not through strong-arm tactics.

''We urge the political leadership of the country and Governor N N Vohra to step in and prevent the situation from becoming further awful,'' they added.

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