SRINAGAR: J&K’s PWD minister Naeem Akhtar who survived a grenade attack in Tral has condemned the attack. Three persons including a young student was killed in the attack.
“It is really unfortunate that grenade was lobbed at our cavalcade when we reached Tral bazaar,” Akhtar said and added that tragic loss of innocent lives in this gory incident will always pain and haunt him.
An official spokesman quoted Akhtar saying that the perpetrators must eschew the path of violence because till date they have accomplished nothing out of bloodshed except adding to the miseries and sufferings of the people. “I wonder why they chose this day (1st Muharram) to repeat Karbala,” he said.
The Minister said unfortunately the incidents of violence like today’s grenade attack are only aimed at reversing the developmental process which was initiated in Tral area. “People of Tral like other places too want dependable basic amenities and other facilities and they have every right to demand it from the government and elected representatives,” he said and urged the people of the area to see and analyse themselves for how much time such incidents can keep Tral out of bounds for development.
The Minister said government has been focusing to lead Tral into a new era of development but it is these unfortunate incidents of violence that stall the process. “For ages Tral has been unable to cherish the fruits of development and we in the government wanted to change this scenario by taking up various projects of development. Our work received a fillip during the last few months as there was comparative peace in the area,” said the Minister. “As of now works worth Rs 100 cr are underway in Tral and our focus is to work in such a way so as to make up for the lost time.”
While pointing to the injured SE of R&B, the Minister said that the officials like him have done a commendable job and it is the general people whose life have been made easier due to the roads and buildings built by them. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of driver of the department who was also injured in the incident.
Rajnath, Vohra calls him
Home MInister, Rajnath Singh has called Akhtar to enquire about his well being in the aftermath of a deadly grenade attack on his cavalcade in Tral this morning.
Governor, N N Vohra, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, other members of the council of Ministers, Legislators and people from different walks of life also called the Minister expressing solidarity with him.
The grenade attack, in which three civilians lost their lives while scores other were injured, has been widely condemned.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has strongly condemned the grenade attack at Tral which two civilians were killed and many were injured including an SE and Executive Engineer of R&B Department.
The Chief Minister said it is unfortunate that the attack took place when a Minister had gone to the town to assess the development needs of the area which has remained neglected for decades. She said the vicious cycle of violence which unfortunately has engulfed the State for three decades now needs to be broken to stop the bloodshed and provide a breather to the people who have been choked by it. “How long are we going to suffer like this on human, developmental, economic, educational and social fronts,” she said and added that the we shall have to ponder over for how long this senseless bloodletting is going to consume us.
Mehbooba Mufti conveyed her sympathies with bereaved families of those killed and also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
