SRINAGAR: Hitting out at elements who were “glorifying” the killings in Kashmir and “playing politics over graves”, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday said they never bother to look back at the victims’ families and sought public cooperation to end violence which has “only brought destruction to the state.”
Visiting the affected families in Kupwara and offering them all possible help, she said, “I am pained to see that all these victim families belong to the poorest of poor sections of the society.”
Violence has only brought destruction to our state and left behind a trail of tragedies in the shape of hundreds of orphans, destitutes and widows who are living a miserable life because of lack of any institutionalised support, she said.
She said those who were “glorifying these killings” and “playing politics over the graves” of the poor youth, never bother to look back at the plight of the victims’ families once the things settle down. Whenever economic activities start picking up in Kashmir with an increase in tourist arrivals as had happened this year, several quarters with vested interests gang up to orchestrate another spate of deadly violence and push the people towards further economic deprivation, she said.
The Chief Minister stressed that violence hits every aspect of the local economy with tourism and education being main targets, an official spokesman said. She alleged that there were reports of “educational migration” with many affluent families preferring the educational institutions outside the state for their children. “People have to ponder over what is going on and who is getting hurt the most because of such situations. If there is peace, there will be development, tourism, employment and people will lead a happy and prosperous life,” she said. The PDP leader hailed people from various sections of the society for reaching out to the needy during the violence.
She commended the dedication of doctors, paramedical staff, nurses, ambulance drivers, community relief organisations and individuals who put in their best efforts to help the affected people. Seeking public cooperation in restoration of normalcy in the Valley, Mehbooba appealed the youth and their parents to help the government in restoring peace.
Life in the Valley has been paralysed since July 9, a day after the Hizbul Mujahideen commander was killed in an encounter with security forces.
As many as 45 persons have been killed and over 3,400 others injured in the clashes between protesters and security forces following Wani’s killing.
Four injured flown to AIIMS at CM’s directive
SRINAGAR: The State Government on Saturday informed that over last more than 10 days, 2252 persons with minor and major injuries have been treated in various hospitals. Out of them, 2144 have been discharged after treatment and 104 injured persons are currently admitted in the hospitals and are receiving treatment. Doctors in various hospitals have conducted 359 surgeries. Out of 197 civilians who received injuries to eye, 160 have been operated upon. At present, there are 32 such patients admitted in various hospitals in Srinagar who are receiving further treatment for eye related injuries.
At the instance of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, the government on Saturday made special arrangements to send five patients to AIIMS New Delhi for further specialized treatment. Out of them, four patients have already been shifted to AIIMS where they have been examined and are being treated by the Specialists at Rajinder Prasad Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, New Delhi for which all the arrangements have been made by the State Government. However, the fifth patient, despite the advice of doctors refused to go to Delhi and instead preferred to avail treatment at Srinagar. The Chief Minister personally spoke to the Director, AIIMS to ensure best possible treatment to these patients.