Budgam, Dec 15,: National Conference workers on Monday staged a protest in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir against the district administration Budgam, alleging harassment of locals and mistreatment of Chadoora MLA Ali Muhammad Dar.
The protesters, carrying party banners and photographs of the MLA, alleged that Ali Muhammad Dar was mistreated and assaulted during an official action, following which he was shifted to the hospital for medical treatment. They said the incident had triggered anger among party workers and locals.
Addressing the gathering, NC workers accused the administration of unnecessarily harassing brick kiln owners. They said that if brick kiln owners were already willing to stop work, there was no justification for using bulldozers against their establishments.
The protesters further alleged that unabated illegal mining has been continuing in several parts of the district without action, while officers were instead targeting brick kiln owners who were earning their livelihood lawfully and respectably.
They claimed that certain officers who allegedly allowed damage to the Shali Ganga stream and patronised illegal mining activities were now acting against innocent people. The protesters termed the approach as selective and unjust.
While pledging unwavering support to the local MLA, the protesters warned of serious consequences if the administration failed to mend its ways and continued what they described as harassment of locals and small livelihood holders.
The protest, which remained peaceful throughout, culminated at Mujahid Manzil Chadoora without any untoward incident. [KNT]
