Kashmiri activist Engineer Nazir Yatoo has started an indefinite hunger strike at Srinagar’s Press Colony against the ongoing eviction drive in Jammu Kashmir.
A resident of Beerwah Budgam, Engineer Nazir Yatoo spoke to The Kashmiriyat and said that he will continue his hunger strike for Kashmiri people till the eviction drive is not stopped. “They are making verbal promises that common Kashmiris will not be targetted, however, the order clearly states the removal of hundred per cent encroachments. I am not ending my hunger strike till the officials pass an order regarding this,” he said.
There is a massive trust deficit in Kashmir. “I have contested elections, How will I be able to show my face to people who are facing so much oppression from the LG admin?” Nazir Yatoo said.
The 50-year-old activist said that he is ready to sacrifice his life for Kashmiris. “We have lost a lot post the abrogation of Article 370. I am not here for political parties or politics. I am here merely for my people and I want them to not be harassed,” he said.
Nazeer Yatoo said that it is for all politicians to start reaching the places where bulldozers are run and sacrifice their lives in front of bulldozers. “I want an order in writing that the eviction drives will be stopped,” he said, as his hunger strike entered the 12th hour.
Notably, the Jammu Kashmir administration has passed an order in January asking the district officials of revenue department to remove encroachments from the state land, a move that has evoked widespread condemnation across Jammu Kashmir.