Srinagar, Aug 2: Expressing outrage at the continued killing spree of young men and women across Kashmir and “the heartless response to it from the Government,”
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that it is declaration of a direct war on the people of the state.
In a statement issued here, Mehbooba said what Kashmir needs at present is understanding, compassion and a political approach but unfortunately what has been promised at the end of the two month long spell of death and destruction is more force and brazen threats against the civilian population here.
Strongly condemning what she called the unabated wave of killings on the streets of the Valley resulting in the loss of another six young people at Kakapora, Sangam,
Kralpora Kupwara, Kulgam and Bijbehara today, Mehbooba said the proclamation to introduce Rapid Action Force in addition to the existing police and other paramilitary forces in a highly militarized place to terrorize the protesting people would further deteriorate the situation. She said the belated acknowledgment of the Chief Minister that the young people were protesting not under any instigation, “as he had been alleging for more than a year” and that the youth were not organized only means that he (CM) has decided to fight them with weapons and force, putting the blame for “consequences” on the people of the valley.
Mehbooba said it belies logic that in any system of governance other than martial law or dictatorship, the administration should try to “control the violence first and then talk of political initiative”. This is like putting the cart before the horse, she said.
Mehbooba said there were no protests or demonstrations for a long period and people waited with patience for a political intervention to take Kashmir out of its troubles. “Why was no political action taken then”, she asked.
The PDP president said that the threat of using more force amounts to adding hostility into the already surcharged atmosphere. “It is now clear that Government has run out of ideas on Kashmir and the totally bankrupt approach in handling the present situation will only add to anger and alienation of the people,” she said.
Expressing heartfelt grief at the loss of lives whose count was now difficult to keep, Mehbooba said that the boys and girls we lose to the wanton use of force by the Government are a loss not just to the families but to the entire community.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST