SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Tuesday took strong exception to the killing of a civilian in Hyderpora, Srinagar and demanded a time-bound and impartial probe into the incident.
In a joint statement the Party’s Members of Parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi today demanded an impartial and time bound probe into the Hyderpora civilian killing.
The party MPs asked the Centre to spare a thought on the impact of such killings and the subsequent culture of impunity the civilian killings have created on the psyche of people. “The contrasting versions of the killings have sent across a wave of fear across Kashmir. Varying versions have raised the misgivings among the people particularly the bereaved families,” the joint statement said.
“Apprehensions have been raised by the victims’ families on the veracity of claims made by police and its investigative agencies. It is therefore incumbent upon the J&K administration to ensure that there was no foul play involved and ensure that the bereaved families version is heard and respected,” the statement adds.
Underscoring the need of answering the questions raised by such killings, the MPS said that there is both precedent and pattern to fake encounters in Kashmir, thus making it imperative for the government to probe the circumstances behind these killings.
Meanwhile, Vice President, Omar Abdullah while addressing the provincial committee (Kashmir) at party headquarters said the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir belies the projected claims of peace and development by GoI on the abrogation of the Articles 370, 35-A.
“We were told that J&K was poised for big development and massive investment post Aug 05 2019 actions. Where is it? The ground reality in the streets and roads of Jammu and Kashmir belie such claims. Where is the projected dawn? On the contrary, the ruling dispensation has made J&K, a simmering cauldron of discontent with its lopsided policies. Where are the anticipated results? After the rescinding of the provisions of Article 370, the picture has changed to worse. Reality is that there is a systematic disempowerment of people of Jammu and Kashmir that is continuing to happen, through bureaucratic rule. The claims of the BJP government that the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of a State with special status into two union territories has paved the way for new industries, created new employment opportunities, decreased militancy, brought atmosphere of peace and security, nurtured democracy, eradicated corruption, brought new Central laws for betterment of people in this region are far-fetched. The ground situation belies these claims.”
Omar Abdullah said the CMIE figure on unemployment rate in J&K lay bare the hoax of job extravaganza in Jammu and Kashmir. “On the contrary, the new GoI policy on wanton terminations had further aggravated the situation.” He stated that after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, media and officials have repeatedly insisted that Kashmir was limping back to normalcy. “However, the ground reality in the shape of garrisoning cities with bunkers, targeted killings, the ongoing Poonch encounter and increased foot print of forces and police personnel deflate such a claim.”
On the return of Kashmiri Pandits, Omar said that BJP had claimed that abrogation of Articles 370, 35 A will pave the way for their return. “Today the same BJP is going white in the face denying that Pandits are leaving in droves. But the evidence on the ground – both in Kashmir and Jammu – is clear. During my tenure as CM the situation had improved to an extent that thousands of Pandit youth had started opting for Govt jobs in Kashmir. Hundreds of families had come back and had started living along side their Muslim brethren. In our tenure the situation had improved to such an extent where the further extension of AFSPA was under discussion. Today the security situation is yet again on the edge and continues to deteriorate every single day,” he said.
Pointing out to the extensive window dressing of the incumbent administration, he said the people are suffering on different accounts ranging from inflation, development deficit, to rising unemployment and administrative inertia. “Denying democracy, fundamental rights, press freedom and equitable development to people in JK is the galling aspect of the post august 2019 Scenario,” he said.
While alluding to the plight of skilled and educated unemployed youth, Omar maintained that they see an uncertain future in wake of absence of any effective job policy, absence of private sector and failure of the government on its promise of accelerating the recruitment process in JKSSB and JKPSC.
