SRINAGAR: Vehicular movement came to a halt after hundreds of activists led by independent legislator Engineer Rashid sat on a dharna outside J&K Assembly complex near Exhibition Crossing demanding removal of PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Rashid along with his activists and supporters staged a protest after the ruling BJP-PDP government grounded the anti-beef ban bill in Legislative Assembly on Thursday. The protesters carrying banners and placards seeking revocation of sections of Dogra law banning sale and slaughter of bovine animals in the Muslim majority state tried to march towards Assembly complex, however, a police party led by DIG Central Kashmir Range, Ghulam Hasan Bhat swung into action and intercepted them. Scores of activists were bundled into police vehicles and lodged into the police station.
Though the agitated protesters were prevented from marching towards the Assembly complex, Engineer Rashid along with couple of activists managed to reach outside Civil Secretariat Gate where Rashid staged a sit-in. Police however, soon swung into action and detained the lawmaker from Langate constituency.
Pertinently, Rashid was assaulted by some BJP law makers inside the House on Thursday. Also his bill over anti-beef ban could not be placed on table for discussion after the Speaker refused to extend the time of the Session.
