Kashmir interlocutor to forces: ‘Show restraint’

I was hoping for a better summer but violence has come as a setback. We must be sensitive... DINESHWAR SHARMA, J&K interlocutor

NEW DELHI: The Indian government’s interlocutor on Kashmir on Wednesday appealed to the security forces to “show restraint” in the Valley and put an end to “civilian killings”, describing the recent spate of violence in the region as a “setback”.

“Civilian killings must stop. The security forces must show restraint and not resort to disproportionate firing,’’ Dineshwar Sharma said in an interview. “I was hoping for a better summer but violence has come as a setback. In south Kashmir, Shopian district is particularly alienated and angry. We must be sensitive while dealing with the people of Kashmir,’’ he added. Sharma was appointed as a special representative by the Centre on October 23 to hold a sustained dialogue with all stakeholders, and has made several visits to Jammu &Kashmir, including one in late February to Shopian, where three civilians were killed by Army bullets on January 27 during a protest, and four were shot dead along with two militants on March 4.

After his first visit to the Valley on taking charge as the interlocutor, Sharma recommended the withdrawal of cases against firsttime stone pelters. The decision was announced a few days later by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti in November.

Cases were withdrawn against nearly 4,000 stone pelters as a goodwill gesture, but the army has now questioned the decision. “The cases were withdrawn as a goodwill gesture but what goodwill are they showing? The stone pelting continues,” army chief General Bipin Rawat said on February 23.

Matters between the army and the state government have come to a head in recent weeks over the naming of an army officer, Major Aditya (Kumar), who was leading a convoy that came under attack from stone pelters.