Engineer Rashid Released on Bail, Focuses on Kashmir Issue Over Assembly Elections

Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, released on interim bail, met with Baramulla residents on Thursday. Granted bail for election campaigning, Rashid emphasized the importance of resolving the Kashmir issue over assembly elections. Confident in his party's success, he criticized PM Modi's vision of 'Naya Kashmir'. Previously arrested for alleged anti-national activities.

Baramulla Lok Sabha MP Engineer Rashid, after being released on interim bail, engaged with the residents of Baramulla on Thursday. The special NIA court in Delhi granted him the bail on Tuesday, allowing him to campaign for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections. Rashid is currently accused in a terror funding case.

Addressing reporters, Engineer Rashid emphasized that finding a solution to the 'Kashmir issue' was more significant than the assembly elections. "For me, the issue is not Assembly elections but to find a solution to Kashmir issue is most important," said Rashid. He expressed confidence in his party, the Awami Itihad Party (AIP), stating it would secure a complete mandate.

Earlier, he voiced his stance against the Prime Minister's decision on August 5 regarding the abrogation of Article 370. He conveyed gratitude to his supporters, asserting that Kashmir will win despite the challenges. "The people of Kashmir will win. We do not accept the decisions taken by the Prime Minister on August 5," Rashid reiterated.

Upon receiving bail on September 12, Rashid highlighted the critical nature of the upcoming elections, criticizing PM Modi's vision of 'Naya Kashmir.' He stated, "The election is important as Kashmir is at a crucial stage. The people of J&K will fight for justice as they are united. PM Modi's so-called vision of 'Naya Kashmir' will fail."

Rashid's past includes an arrest in 2005 by the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Srinagar on charges of supporting militants. Although incarcerated for over three months, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Srinagar later dropped all charges on humanitarian grounds. Again arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, Rashid contested the 2024 parliamentary elections from jail, winning by a margin of 204,000 votes against former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

(With inputs from agencies.)