Engineer Rashid detained after trying to enter premises of Jamia Masjid

Srinagar: Independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid was detained on Friday as he tried to break through the siege at Jamia Masjid where congregational Friday prayers could not be offered for the 19th consecutive week due to restrictions imposed by the authorities.

The MLA along with his supporters reached Nowhatta and tried to enter the premises of the historic Jamia Masjid where large contingent of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed for maintaining law and order, officials said.

They said Rashid and several of his supporters were taken into preventive custody.

Before being whisked away, the MLA alleged that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was "following dictates from intelligence agencies and Union Home Ministry".

"There can be nothing shameful than the act that the main historic mosque (of Kashmir) continues to be under siege for 19th consecutive Friday and the Indian myth of so-called secularism and religious freedom stands exposed," Rashid said.

He alleged that it needs no authentication that the "radical and fanatic right-wing Hindu forces have taken over the control of India and are doing everything to make India a Hindu Rashtra".

He also accused state police of working like "private army" for the PDP-BJP "Nagpur-run coalition".