STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: In the wake of the rising tension on the borders between India and Pakistan and killing of civilians, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday made a fervent appeal for peace and political dialogue between the neighbouring countries to de-escalate the “perilously hostile situation” prevailing in the region.
Mehbooba expressed “deep anguish” and “grave concern” over the loss of human lives and destruction of property in the unabated border shelling and firing along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in the state.
I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir, she said.
Mehbooba said the repeated border shelling has seen a “tragic humanitarian crisis” unfolding in the region, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.
We in Jammu and Kashmir yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences, she said.
The Chief Minister said the necessity and urgency of dialogue has assumed more significance in the “prevailing disturbing situation” and the escalation of violence along the borders should keep reminding both India and Pakistan of the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a peaceful, just and pragmatic solution of all contentious issues. “India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication, at the earliest, realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders,” she said.
The Chief Minister called for serious efforts at the political and civil society levels to revive the peace and reconciliation process for the larger good of the people “sandwiched in a gory scenario of death and destruction”.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh also expressed anguish over the killing of civilians in the ongoing ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces.
In a condolence message, the Deputy Chief Minister has expressed shock over the loss of lives and conveyed sympathies to the members of the bereaved families. He also prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Deputy Chief Minister directed the Divisional and District administrations of Jammu and Samba to provide all possible help to the people of border areas and evacuate them to safer places so as to save their lives.
Meanwhile, expressing deep shock over the loss of lives and injuries to several persons, JKPCC has strongly condemned Pakistan for resorting to heavy shelling targeting civilian localities along the Indo-Pak border and LOC at several places in the State.
President JKPCC, G.A Mir and senior functionaries of PCC Sham Lal Sharma, Raman Bhalla, Mula Ram, Kanta Bhan, Ravinder Sharma, Manjit Singh, Shabir Ahmed Khan, Manmohan Singh and Namrata Sharma have jointly expressed deep shock over the loss of lives in Samba sector and Rajouri District besides severe injuries to several persons in R S Pura and Nowshera Sectors. They strongly condemned Pakistan for escalating tension and targeting the civilian population, which is an act of cowardice and violation of international norms.
The leaders expressed sympathies with the families of those whose kith and kin have become victim of the Pak shelling and with the injured and asked the government to immediately provide adequate ex- gratia relief to the affected families.
Meanwhile, expressing concern over continued shelling in civilian areas along Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in deaths of innocent people including women and children, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Working President Omar Abdullah expressed shock and solidarity with the families who lost their dear ones.
“There is immediate need for desclation of situation on borders, as unfortunately our people are becoming ill-fated victims of the border skirmishes”, Dr Abdullah said in a statement.
Dr Abdullah and Omar Abdullah conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families, saying National Conference is sharing their grief and agony. Provincial President National Conference Jammu Devender Singh Rana besides former ministers Ajay Kumar Sadhotra and Surjeet Singh Slathia and MLA Dr Kamal Arora have also expressed shock and grief over the deaths and conveyed sympathies to bereaved families.
President, All India Jat Mahasabha J and K, Ch. Manmohan Singh expressed anguish over the innocent killings of eight people and injuries to several others in recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
“State Government should implement rescue and evacuation plans for these people stranded on border areas and shift them to a safe place,” he said adding that it will prevent further bloodshed of innocent civilians and enable armed forces to retaliate without the any fear of civilian causality.
