Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 16: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, today met the family members of the victims of security forces firing in Kupwara and the civil society members in the district to defuse tension.
This morning Mehbooba flew to Kupwara and chaired a high-level meeting to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation that has arisen in wake of protest demonstrations, triggered by killing of three persons on Wednesday in Handwara after security force jawan allegedly tried to molest a girl.
The Chief Minister met the victims’ families to offer her condolences and held an interaction with the prominent members of the civil society here to defuse the tense situation so that peace and normalcy is restored in the region.
Mehbooba was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh, Minister for Rural Development, Justice and Law, Abdul Haq Khan, Minister for Social Welfare, Sajjad Ghani Lone, MP, Fayaz Ahmad Lone, MLA Kupwara, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Chief Secretary, BR Sharma, DGP, K Rajendra Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Naveen Kumar Chaudhary, Deputy GoC, Kilo Force, Jarken Gamlin, ADGP, CID, SM Sahai, Divisional Commissioner, Asgar Hassan Samoon, IGP, Kashmir Zone, SJM Gillani, DIG, NKR, Uttam Chand, DC and SSP Kupwara.
Mehbooba while speaking on the occasion, made it clear that no civilian should be harmed while dealing with law-and-order situations. She said the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should not remain a mere word but become a potent tool while dealing with law-and-order situations.
Mehbooba said she had a telephonic conversation with Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, late last evening and also met Army Commander, Lt. General D. S. Hooda, and told them that incidents like Handwara and Natnusa are unacceptable and come as a major setback to the efforts of the State Government in consolidating peace dividends in the State.
“I have told Gen. Hooda to exercise maximum restraint while dealing with law-and-order situations,” said Chief Minister, adding the Defence Minister has assured her of time-bound investigation into the unfortunate incidents that led to the death of civilians during protests at Handwara and Natnusa so that exemplary punishment is given to those found guilty.
While interacting with the members of the civil society, the Chief Minister sought their cooperation in restoring peace and normalcy in the frontier district.
Mehbooba said she wanted to be with the people at this hour, grasp the sequence of events that led to the cycle of violence and the action taken by the law-enforcing authorities. She said she was deeply saddened by the series of unfortunate events which led to the death of four young boys and a woman.
“I never dreamt of coming to Kupwara like this after taking over as the Chief Minister. It is most unfortunate,” the Chief Minister said.
Earlier, immediately after her arrival in Kupwara, she met with the bereaved family members of the victims and assured them of justice and all possible support. She said she is deeply pained by their grief over the loss of lives of their dear ones.
Mehbooba expressed solidarity and conveyed her heart-felt sympathies to the victims’ families.
In the meantime, Kashmir valley observed a shutdown against the civilian killings for the 5th consecutive day while curfew-like restrictions continued in Kupwara and Old City areas. At least, 12 persons including eight forces personnel were injured in clashes.
The authorities imposed strict curfew-like restrictions in Kupwara, Handwara and several other adjoining villages. Hundreds of police and Army personnel were deployed across Kupwara and Handwara townships and roads leading to both of these places.
Despite the restrictions, clashes broke out at Trehgam in which two persons were injured. Police fired teargas shells to disperse the protesters and the two persons were injured.
The situation in Kupwara district remained mostly peaceful but violent clashes erupted in the evening after contingents of forces were removed at Lalpora. In the day, people attacked the cavalcade of Cabinet Minister and Handwara MLA, Sajjad Lone, at Bramri but he escaped unhurt.
In Srinagar, the authorities strictly continued the imposition of restrictions on Old City and Maisuma areas for the fourth consecutive day. The restrictions were imposed in the areas falling under MR Gunj, Nowhatta, Khanyar, Rainawari, Safa Kadal, Kralkhud and Maisuma police stations.
Meanwhile, clashes between security forces and youths broke out at Zakura and Narbal on city outskirts against the killings. Police used teargas against the protesters. The clashes also broke out in Old City after restrictions were lifted and the police responded by firing dozens of teargas shells. The clashes also broke out at Barsoo area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. An abandoned police post was torched by protesters.
The shutdown was observed across Kashmir. The normal life remained paralysed with shops and business establishment closed.
A police spokesman said here that 10 persons including 8 police and security forces personnel were injured in five stone-pelting incidents in Srinagar and elsewhere. He, however, said the situation by and large remained peaceful in Valley today although some stray stone pelting incidents were reported from Gojwara, Soura, Narbal crossing in Srinagar, Barsu in Ganderbal and Trehgam in Kupwara. “The deployments exercised maximum restraint. Ten persons including eight police and security personnel sustained injuries”, he added.
In the meanwhile, mobile internet services were suspended across Valley since midnight and are still blocked. The ban is likely to continue till tomorrow afternoon.
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