SRINAGAR: Srinagar MP Agha Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday said liquor outlets should not exist in Kashmir, arguing that the closure of wine shops would automatically prevent access to alcohol. His remarks came a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that no one was being forced to consume liquor.
Addressing reporters, Ruhullah said the National Conference had promised during its election campaign to regulate and ban liquor sales and shut wine shops for locals.
“No one is forced to take drugs, yet governments take action against drugs and attempt to ban them. Similarly, liquor shops should not exist,” he said.
Referring to Omar Abdullah’s remarks, Ruhullah described the Chief Minister’s response as “arrogant, unethical and illogical”, and said it contradicted the promises made to the electorate during the elections.
“He should act on the promises made to the people instead of telling them to avoid shops,” Ruhullah said, adding that voters had supported the National Conference to challenge what he termed “arrogance” and the “labelling” of Kashmiris.
The Srinagar MP also said people in Jammu and Kashmir had voted for the restoration of constitutional protections and statehood.
On reports of demolition drives linked to anti-drug operations, Ruhullah alleged that bulldozers were being used as a form of “extrajudicial punishment”.
“We are against drugs and support strict action against those involved in drug trafficking, but punishing families or demolishing homes in the name of anti-drug operations is wrong,” he said.
Ruhullah further alleged that profiling of Muslims and minorities was taking place in different parts of the country and claimed similar practices were now being witnessed in Kashmir as well. (KNS)
