Mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday expressed deep anguish over the death of six civilians in a blast at an encounter site in Kulgam district.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed profound “grief and shock over the death of six civilians and injuries to others.
In a statement, the PDP president appealed Governor S P 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. Mehbooba said she was extremely saddened by the news of the Kulgam incident, where civilians were “once again caught in the cross fire of violence, thus adding fuel to the already volatile situation”.
“All words of condemnation, condolence sound very hollow at this tragedy,” she said.
Conveying her heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, the PDP president sought immediate release of ex-gratia and other assistance in the favour of deceased civilians and aid to the injured.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) vice-president Ghulam Nabi Monga also lamented the civilian deaths and blamed the Centre’s “wrong policies towards Kashmir” for the casualties.
In a statement Monga said it is painful to see innocent civilians being killed in Kashmir in such a manner.
“Two days back, a lady was killed in Pulwama district in similar circumstances. It is the arrogance of BJP government at the Centre which is the root cause for such killings,” he said in a statement.
The JKPCC vice-president said the BJP Government’s policy “revolves around the use of bullets only”.
The Congress leader expressed serious concern over the prevailing situation in Kashmir and said the initiatives taken in Kashmir during the United Progressive Alliance’s 10-year rule “have been reversed and washed away by the incumbent Government.”
CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam M Y Tarigami also expressed grief over the loss of civilian lives and demanded a probe into the incident.
“It is really so painful to see such killings happening everyday in Kashmir. But unfortunately, New Delhi is watching all this like a mute spectator and seems in no mood to address the issues politically. There is a deep sense of alienation among Kashmiris, especially youth. It is this deepening alienation and anger which is driving young and old towards the deadly encounter sites,” Tarigami said in a statement.
He said given the rising toll of casualties and no visible efforts by New Delhi to hold meaningful dialogue, there is “apprehension that the situation may get more complex”.
“Besides, persistent arrogance and repression is bound to aggravate the situation further,” he said.
He also demanded a magisterial enquiry into the Kulgam incident.
Senior PDP leader and Member Parliament Muzaffar Hussain Baig expressed shock and deep anguish over the killings. “It is heart rendering to learn about such incidents which have become norm of the day. The situation calls for immediate de-escalation from all sides,” he said in a statement.
Expressing heartfelt condolences with the bereaved families, Baig prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Chairman of Peoples Democratic Front & MLA Khansahib, Hakeem Yaseen while condemning the killing of civilians in Kulgam district said, “Both central and state governments should engage youth in a meaningful dialogue to meet their urges and aspirations rather than using military might to douse the flames of their anger.”
He said, “Ongoing bloodshed in the state will lead to nowhere as resolution of every issue lies in the process of dialogue and reconciliation.”
National Conference leader advocate Nazir Malik in a statement said, “Killings of youth on daily basis pains the psyche of common Kashmiri and the Governor’s administration should ensure safety and security of people during such circumstances as of today.”
Condemning Kulgam killings, AIP president and MLA Langate Er Rasheed urged the world community to help in stopping “genocide of Kashmiris.”
In a statement Er Rasheed said, “Every day is a black day for Kashmiris and New Delhi seems to have decided to silence Kashmiris at 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.”