Srinagar: PDP MLA Waheed Para has called for an end to what he described as “discrimination and humiliation” faced by local residents on the highway in South Kashmir due to frequent stoppages and restrictions during convoy movement, the Yatra and the tourist season.
“People who gave their land for the highway are being discriminated against. This is like a ‘Berlin Wall’—an us-versus-them situation,” Para said.
He said local residents should not be made to bear the consequences of security-related restrictions and should not be treated as a problem or subjected to unnecessary hardship in their own region.
“People cannot be punished for one attack that took place. Locals should be used to help people, not made a tool of alienation,” he said.
Para urged the government to take up the issue with the security agencies and the Unified Command and review the existing restrictions to ensure that security measures do not result in discrimination, humiliation or unnecessary disruption of civilian movement.
He said the concerns of local residents must be addressed while maintaining necessary security arrangements and ensuring dignity and equal treatment for people using the highway.
