Independent MLA Rasheed locks down vacant office of Kupwara DC

Srinagar: Controversial Independent MLA from Langate, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed on Tuesday 'locked down' the office of Kupwara Deputy Commissioner as it had been lying vacant for nearly one month and asked the government to fill up the vacancy in four days.

"Despite heavy security barriers, Rasheed locked the main gate of the office of Deputy Commissioner Kupwara as a mark of protest against failure of the government to fill up the post which has been lying vacant since last month," a spokesman of the MLA said in a statement.

He said many people gathered at the spot and joined the MLA by chanting slogans against the Government for not posting a Deputy Commissioner for the north Kashmir district.

Rasheed accused the government of ignoring the sufferings of Kashmir province in general, and Kupwara in particular.

"On one hand people in areas like Karnah, Machhil, Keran, Nowgam and Jammagund are under continuous threat of cross-LOC shelling and on the other hand whole of the district is suffering because of the administrative collapse," the MLA told reporters.

He said it is "shameful" that despite making huge claims on transparency and good governance, the present government transferred previous deputy commissioner for "not following" the "dictates" of the ruling class.

Rasheed warned the government to fill up the post within four days or be ready to face mass agitation.