Parties siding with State shouldn’t speak up for Engineer Rashid: AIP spokesperson

Srinagar: Awami Itihad Party (AIP) Wednesday lambasted those political parties who after 14 months have started demanding the release of its chief, Engineer Rashid.

“We don’t need the sympathies of those who side with the State and these parties should not speak for us,” AIP spokesperson, Sheeban Ashai, told Kashmir News Trust over phone from Delhi.

Sheeban said that he along with some party workers are outside Tihar Jail to meet incarcerated leader Engineer Rashid but on the pretext of coronavirus, jail authorities are not allowing them to meet him. “We are still waiting here and hope they will permit us to meet Engineer Rashid,” he said.

He said after the release of Mehbooba Mufti, now some leaders and political parties have suddenly become active and are demanding the release of AIP president.

“This is ridiculous and adds salt to our injuries. We don’t [need] their sympathies (sic). Engineer Rashid is the tallest leader and not an opportunist, who never sided with the State that has been resorting to so much repression and oppression,” Sheeban said. KNT