Separatists slam ordinance on protests, strikes

The separatists in Kashmir today criticised the state ordinance that makes persons calling for strikes or protest demonstrations, which lead to damage of public property, liable for imprisonment and fine.
In a joint statement, Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik condemned the ordinance calling it "outrageous and dictatorial".
They observed that shutdown is a universally accepted democratic and peaceful right of protest and resistance.
They alleged that the "tall claims of healing touch and "battle of ideas" by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her party before coming to power, have all "come to nought".
The separatists also accused Mufti of eroding the "economic autonomy" of the state through implementation of the GST.

Governor N N Vohra promulgated 'The Jammu and Kashmir Public Property (Prevention of Damage) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017' which amends the existing law relating to damage to public property to more effectively prevent the deleterious activities of individuals or organizations which result in damage to public and private properties.
The amendment to the existing law has been made to implement the directions given by the Supreme Court.