Kashmir violence: We need support of Hurriyat Conference, says PDP leader Naeem Akhtar
"We appeal to the mainstream political parties including National Conference and also to those who are not in the mainstream, the Hurriyat Conference. We need support of Hurriyat Conference as well," PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said.
In Short
- Mehbooba Mufti chaired a meeting to control Kashmir protest.
- PDP sought help from Hurriyat Conference to restore peace in Kashmir.
- Arrangements will be made for tourists govt said.
Facing a crisis after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Muzaffer Wani that claimed the lives of 18 protesters in security forces firing and five more are critical, Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday urged police and paramilitary forces to exercise restrain while dealing with the growing dissent. In what appears to be a rare sight, the government also sought support of the separatist Hurriyat Conference and the National Conference.
APPEAL FOR HELP
After the Cabinet meeting chaired by CM Mehbooba Mufti, government spokesman and senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said the government was fully aware of its duty towards people. "Whatever steps we will have to take, we will take to restore peace. The Cabinet has decided that the security forces should exhibit restrain and endeavor that no collateral damage takes place," Akhtar, who is also Minister for Education, told reporters at the Civil Secretariat. The government has imposed restrictions and curfew in Srinagar and other districts of the Valley since Saturday as massive protests rocked Kashmir after killing of 21-year-old militant commander.
"The government appeals to all political forces, who have expressed concern that lives shouldn't be lost, for support. We appeal to the mainstream political parties including National Conference and also to those who are not in the mainstream, the Hurriyat Conference. We need support of Hurriyat Conference as well," Akhtar said.
A local resident of Newa Pulwama said a 14-year-old boy Irfan Sofi was killed by the forces firing on Sunday morning. "And when we started protesting against it we were directly hit with bullets by police and the CRPF and four of our youth were wounded," a local resident said.
HELP FOR TOURISTS TO GET OUT OF KASHMIR
Akhtar said additional flights will be arranged for tourists, who are leaving Kashmir, to move out of the restive region. He said as the situation returns to normalcy the Amarnath yatra, suspended since Saturday, will be resumed. However, Akhtar walked out of the press conference when asked whether Mehbooba Mufti will resign as she in 2010 after series of killings of youngsters by police and CRPF, sought resignation of the then CM Omar Abdullah.
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