Srinagar, Oct 24 (IANS): Jammu and Kashmir's opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by its chief Mehbooba Mufti, Monday marched through the city to highlight corruption in the state.
Dozens of PDP activists marched from the party headquarters in the Civil Lines area to Regal Chowk shouting slogans. They were stopped from going to the city centre Lal Chowk.
Mehbooba Mufti told reporters while leading the anti-corruption rally: "When chief ministers can go to jail on charges of corruption outside Jammu and Kashmir, when Anna Hazare can be asked to give account of funds collected by him, why are different rules applied to the state of Jammu and Kashmir?"
The PDP president alleged that established institutions were losing their efficacy in the state as corruption had become rampant here.
"New Delhi is weakening democratic institutions in the state by turning a blind eye to the serious charges of corruption leveled against the ruling party here," she said, hitting out at the Omar Abdullah-led state government.
The PDP's battle against the government found fillip with the death of National Conference worker Haji Muhammad Yousuf, who died here Sep 30.
Serious charges of money collection for political berths were levelled against the deceased by opposition parties who also alleged that Yousuf had been killed in custody.
The autopsy report and forensic tests, however, had ruled out any foul play and said he had died of cardiac arrest.
A magisterial probe has been ordered into his death.