Srinagar: Expressing serious concern over the rise in killings by unidentified gunmen in various parts of the Valley, especially in south Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and MLA Khansahib Hakim Mohammad Yasin Wednesday said it hasn’t only terrified the people but puts a big question mark over the way the government is handling the situation.
In a statement to media issued from Srinagar, Hakim Yasin said,”In a throwback to 1990s, the Valley is witnessing the killings by unidentified gunmen again. The killings at the hands of unknown gunmen are not just terrifying but put a big question mark over the way the government is handling the situation. Who are the unidentified gunmen who are killing the innocent people, government needs to answer this.”
“Whosoever is being killed is a Kashmiri and government is non-serious over the rise in killings. Government needs to investigate the issue and answer to the people who these unidentified gunmen are,” he demanded.
The PDF chief also cautioned both the Central and the State governments against any misadventure to fiddle with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. “We have said it before and repeat it again that any tinkering with Article 35-A would add fuel to the fire as situation in the state is already volatile. The State and the Center need to clarify its stand over the issue as fiddling with Article 35-A will have serious repercussions. Article 370 and Article 35-A has constitutional position and is a bridge between Kashmir and New Delhi. Any fiddling with it will have adverse impact on the relations between State and the Center,” Hakim Yasin said.
The PDF chief asserted that the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were ready to give any sacrifice to protect Article 370 and 35-A, which guarantees for special status to J&K in the Indian union. “The proposed abrogation of article 35-A will have serious ramification not only within the State but it would also be very harmful for the country as well,” he warned.
The MLA Khansahib urged Indo-Pak leadership to hold a meaningful and time bound dialogue to resolve all the issues including Kashmir. “When China and India can resolve its issues peacefully, why not India and Pakistan,” he asked.
Hakim Yasin also asked the government to release the political prisoners before Eid-ul-Fitr on humanitarian grounds.
