DODA: A shutdown call against alleged high-handedness of police on youth, including Namazis and lawyers who participated in last night’s protest against Power Development Department (PDD) paralysed normal life in Doda with most of the town observing a strike and participating in protest rally.
The call for shutdown was issued by Seerat Committee Doda who alleged that district administration and police used brutal force against the youth without any provocation.
The youth who were protesting against the PDD for unscheduled curtailment of power in the month of Holy Ramadan and especially during prayer times were allegedly cane charged by the police last night at 9:30 PM outside PDD office.
To show their resentment, today a complete shutdown was observed in Doda town and a strong but peaceful protest rally was also held, demanding immediate action against the erring police officials and civil administration, who resorted to unprovoked cane charge. The protesters were also demanding uninterrupted power supply during the month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile nearly 3000 people participated in the protest rally which passed through the main market of Doda town raising slogans against PDD, police and district administration.
The protesters later gathered at old bus stand Doda where Senior National Conference leader and Seerat Committee President Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy addressed the rally. Suharwardy while giving ultimatum to the administration to restore the uninterrupted power supply without further delay, also asked them to stay away from the communal approach. Later, Seerat Committee President appealed to business community to open their shops in view of ongoing holy month of Ramadan.