Awami Ittehad Party MP Sheikh Abdul Rashid (file photo) Srinagar: Engineer Rashid, MP from North Kashmir’s Baramulla, described himself as “MP from Tihar Jail” in his Parliament speech on Wednesday while raising the issue of poor internet connectivity in the border areas of his constituency. His party, Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), issued a statement here saying Rashid highlighted the “non-existent internet connectivity” in Karnah, Machil, Gurez and remote areas of his constituency.

Uri. “Forget 5G or 4G, even basic mobile towers are missing and there is no network connectivity at all,” AIP quoted Rashid as saying. Rashid also cited the “distressing situation” in Uri’s Gujjarpati village, saying he had seen on television in jail that villagers had been appealing to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for five days to restore phone access.

Seeking the intervention of the Communications Minister, he said, “. but why should the border areas of Kupwara and Baramulla suffer.

” “He was reminding the nation that despite being confined, without resources, personnel or basic communication facilities, he was still fighting for his people,” the spokesperson said. A Delhi court last week allowed Rashid to attend the entire winter session of Parliament from December 1 while in jail.

Rashid has been in Tihar jail since August 9, 2019, when the NIA arrested him in a terror-funding case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. His detention took place four days after the abrogation of Article 370. However, while in jail his political career took a dramatic turn in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when he contested from Baramulla and won by over 204,000 votes, defeating his nearest rival, National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah.

“In Jammu and Kashmir, people look for someone who will hold the government accountable – be it in Jammu and Kashmir or at the Centre. Rashid is doing the same in Parliament,” AIP said.