Political storm erupts over death of civilian in J& K
The death of six civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s counter Kulgam district on Sunday evoked widespread condemnation by political parties in Kashmir.
“Every day is a black day for Kashmiris and New Delhi seems to have decided to silence Kashmiris on all costs. Those who have been misleading world community and defaming Kashmiris by calling few unfortunate killings of Kashmiris Pandits as ethnic cleansing should come forward and explain why Kashmir is being turned into an experimental lab just to avoid a resolution of Kashmir dispute,” Independent MLA Engineer Rashid said in a statement here.
He alleged that the security agencies never want death and destruction to end as it serves their ‘ vested interest’.
Former chief minister and NC vice- president Omar Abdullah termed the killings in Kulgam as “terrible news” and asked “how long can the ground realities be ignored and living in denial of bad situation in Kashmir.”
“Terrible news coming out from Kulgam. May the deceased find place in Jannat. Alienating the people in the fight against militancy is a sure fire recipe for losing the fight. How long can we go on ignoring the ground realities & living in denial about how bad things are in Kashmir?” he tweeted.
PDP president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief and shock over the death of six civilians and injuries to scores others and appealed governor Satya Pal Malik to ensure that all standard operating procedures are strictly adhered to while dealing with the security situations and all the security agencies are advised to take precautions to avoid any collateral damage.
“I’m extremely saddened by the news of Kulgam incident, where civilians were once again caught in the crossfire of violence, thus adding fuel to the already volatile situation. All words of condemnation, condolence sound very hollow at this tragedy,” she said.
CPI ( M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the killings have become everyday norm in Kashmir now.