Srinagar, May 30: Mainstream politicians Wednesday condemned the attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Khanyar area of Srinagar saying such attacks are aimed at sabotaging the tourism season in the Valley.
“The incident is the handiwork of ‘agencies’ and the people who carry out such deplorable tasks are being patronized by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP),” fire-brand Additional General Secretary of National Conference (NC) Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal told Greater Kashmir.
He said the incident is the handiwork of people who do not want peace and economic prosperity in Kashmir. “These elements are being patronized by PDP and BJP,” Dr Kamaal said.
Dr Kamaal said that people of old Srinagar city were heaving a sigh of relief for the past some time. “These people do not want to see old Srinagar a developed area. Old Srinagar has suffered a lot during last two decades,” he said.
Condemning the incident, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said the violence was not solution of any problem. “Violence has not solved any problem in past nor it will solve in future,” she was quoted as saying in a party handout. “It seems to be aimed at disrupting tourism,” she said.
Mehbooba hoped that government would cope with such issues and be able to stop such attacks.
J&K Congress chief Prof Saif-u-Din Soz condemned the incident in strongest terms. He said such activities were being carried out by enemies of peace.
“It will not only disrupt peace but also disturb the tourist rush to Kashmir,” Soz told Greater Kashmir over telephone from New Delhi. “The Valley has great tourist season this year, poor people like taxi operators would have to bear the brunt of such attacks,” he added.
Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Lone said that enemies of peace can carry out such attacks. “The tourist season is the backbone of Kashmiri economy. Any person trying to disrupt Kashmir economy in essence is weakening the might of Kashmir people. I appeal to all that let tourist season go on peacefully. I have no doubt in my mind that only enemies of Kashmiris will try to disrupt the great Kashmir tourist season,” Lone told Greater Kashmir.
National Conference spokesman Tanvir Sadiq termed it an act of cowardice. “There are anti-national elements that would to try to destabilize the prevailing peace,” Sadiq said adding that such attacks must not affect tourism. “We hope that police and other law enforcing agencies would be taking necessary action so that such incidents do not occur again,” the spokesman said. “There are agencies that will all along try to destabilize and do not want to see the prevailing peace in Kashmir.”

Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 IST