JK News Today

Srinagar, November 02: 

The latest decision of the   Administration to create state Investigating Agency (SIA)  by all counts is only aimed  to strengthen the repressive apparatus  in this region, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration or PAGD said in a statement in Srinagar on Tuesday.

“The formation of one more agency empowered with unbridled powers is one more assault on  democratic rights and civil liberties of citizens. In the name of fighting terrorism these agencies and laws are being weaponised against the citizens who hold a different viewpoint from the government, “ the statement issued by PAGD spokesperson M Y Tarigami said .

He asked, “ What was the need  to add one more such agency? when already NIA and UAPA  have created havoc  among the people by gross misuse of these draconian measures. J&K is a political issue and needs a political outreach. What was required to be done was to provide relief  and  not  any addition to such harsh measures which are bound to  deepen their alienation.”

PAGD had opposed all such laws in the past and will do so in future as well.  Even eminent jurists in the country have expressed resentment over the draconian laws being passed by the government in the name of fighting terrorism. These laws can be wielded as a weapon against opponents. “The fight to defend democracy must encompass the struggle to get rid of these draconian laws,” Tarigami said.