Lawyers, market association protest against Pak PM's visit

, March 9: Local lawyers and the Ajmer Dargah market association today joined the protest against the visit of

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in view of the recent brutal killing and beheading of Indian soldiers by Pakistani Army.

The move comes a day after the Ajmer Sharif spiritual head said he will boycott the visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister. "Due to security reasons, the market remains shut during the visit of VVIPs but this time we are closing the shops voluntarily well before the time set by the district administration," Jodha Tekchandani, Dargah Market Association President, told PTI.

"This is to register our protest against the visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister," he said. Ajmer Sharif Dargah Diwan Zainul Abedin Ali Khan had yesterday said he will boycott the visit in protest against the recent brutal killing and beheading of Indian soldiers by the Pakistani Army.

A representative of Ajmer Bar Association, Rajesh Tandon, said that roads from where Ashraf’s cavalcade will pass will be washed by water after his departure because his passage will make the land "unholy". "External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is hosting a lunch for Ashraf, which is shameful.

He should have not been given such a welcome. This is insult to the sentiments of Indians and the families of martyrs," he said. Khan said the boycott is against the killing of Indian soldiers by Pakistan Army.

"Pakistan hurt our sentiments and did not initiate any action against its guilty personnel despite India's protest. "At a time when tension is heightened between both the nations, and that too because of Pakistan, it is a widespread sentiment that Pakistan should tender an apology to government of India, our Army, families of martyrs and all the citizens before coming to Ziyarat," he told PTI.

"There is no apology and no action then how can we tolerate the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister here? I stand by citizens of the country as well as the families of the martyrs and demand that Pakistan should return the head of the slain soldier with full honour to the Government of India before making any trip,” he said.

Traditionally the Dargah Deewan, a descendant of the sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, remain present to welcome when nation head visits the shrine. However, the Khadim (priest) community is all set to welcome the delegation and said the protest by the Dargah Deewan will not affect the ceremonies performed during the visit.

PTI