Abdullahs’, Mir, Hakeem, Tarigami condemn Shopian killings

Jammu: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Working President Mr Omar Abdullah, State Congress President Gh Ahmed Mir, Peoples’ Democratic Front Chairman Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and CPI(M) Secretary M Y Tarigami have in different statements expressed deep grief over the killing of two innocent civilians and injuries to nine others in the firing in Ganowpora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Describing the incident unfortunate and extremely shocking, National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and Working President Omar Abdullah conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the depurated souls. They also wished speedy recovery to those injured in firing.The two leaders also prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Describing the killing of civilians as determinantal to peace, State Congress President G.A. Mir said that Gonowpora incident has exposed the tall claims of Centre & State Govt who are claiming that situation was back to normal, but the situation is more serious that it was before, he said.
He asked the ruling PDP BJP to wake up and take effective measures to restore peace rather than making tall claims about the situation, which is out control, Mir said.
Mentioning that the killings of innocent people, in any form, is highly condemnable, as that loss of precious cannot by replaced by anything, but at the same time, G.A. Mir made a fervent appeal to people especially youth not to confront or pelt stones on Security Forces, as that, such actions on their part will invite action by them ( Forces), which is obviously not in the interest if peace, rather it will be detrimental to peace and tranquility in Valley.
G.A. Mir urged upon the Forces to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with the protestors, as the restraint by them will certainly contribute to peace and tranquility, he added. Congress President sympathized with the bereaved families.
Strongly condemning the killings of two civilians and injures to others in Shopian district in security forces firing, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) president and MLA Khansahib Hakim Mohammad Yasin said that the “government has failed to protect its people.” In a statement Hakim Yasin lashed out at the BJP-PDP coalition government and said they have given free hand to the forces to kill the innocent people of Kashmir. “After every killing, this government orders a probe. This government has made the mockery of the probes and enquiries as in none of those ordered in the past were taken to the logical conclusion.”
“For how long the cycle of killings will continue? Almost every day news of killings comes from one or other area of the state. This government has completely failed to safeguard the lives of its citizens. The credibility of the institutions is being eroded and which becomes reason for further alienation of people. Why the forces are not following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). SOP has been confined to papers and rhetoric. It is clear that the forces resorted to indiscriminate use of force and a killing spree,” Hakim said.
The PDF chief said that India and Pakistan should end the stalemate and start a dialogue with Kashmiri leadership including separatists so that peace can return. “Only development can’t solve Kashmir issue as time has proven that. Unless conducive atmosphere is created in Kashmir, dream of development can’t be achieved. The government of India should recognise the political essence of the ongoing unrest in Kashmir and explore all ways to initiate a credible process to resolve it without further delay,” he said.
Strongly condemning the killing of unarmed youth in security forces firing in Ganowpora village of Shopian in south Kashmir, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, asked the government that how long the blood of civilians will continue to flow in Kashmir?
I have no words to condemn these killings as mere condemnations every time a civilian is killed isn’t 3enough. We want to ask the state government that how long the civilian killings will continue in Kashmir? Ordering a probe after every such killing is not a solution to the problem as people have lost the faith in such probes.
The law enforcing agencies are refusing to draw lessons from previous such experiences. The indifferent and callous attitude of those in power in Delhi and Srinagar is only inflaming the already worsening situation further. Such reckless killings have in the past inflamed the situation and if immediately such type of incidents aren’t stopped, there is apprehension that situation in the Valley may turn ugly again.
While expressing solidarity with t he bereaved families, he demanded an immediate end to impunity to the security forces in such cases