The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) on Thursday staged a protest in Handwara, strongly condemning the recent arrests of local youths allegedly detained for posting anti-Israel content on social media and calling for a boycott of Israeli products.
Led by AIP Senior Leader and Langate MLA Sheikh Khursheed, the protest march saw participation from scores of party workers and supporters. The demonstrators raised slogans demanding the immediate release of the detained individuals and criticized what they described as the suppression of democratic expression.
As the protest march proceeded, it was intercepted by police authorities. However, officials reportedly assured Sheikh Khursheed that the detained youths—arrested in connection with a video posted online—would be released shortly.
Addressing media personnel during the protest, Sheikh Khursheed asserted, “The people of Jammu & Kashmir voted in large numbers not for silence, but so that their voice could reach the highest platforms. Elected representatives have a duty to represent the sentiments and aspirations of the people, not suppress them.”
He further stated that expressing solidarity with oppressed people and advocating for a boycott of aggressors are democratic rights that should not be criminalized.
Reaffirming the party’s stance, AIP said it would continue to raise the voice of the people “with courage and clarity” and stand firm against all forms of repression.
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