J&K: Mehbooba Mufti meets victims' families
Mehbooba flew to Kupwara and chaired a high-level meeting to make an on-the-spot assessment of the situation that triggered after five civilian killings during alleged forces actions.
“She also met with 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,” said a spokesman.
He said that Mehbooba made it clear that no civilian should come in between 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. Gen. D. S. Hooda, and told them that incidents like which occurred at 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,” she said, 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.
The Chief Minister 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.
Mehbooba said that she was deeply saddened by the series of unfortunate events which led to the death of four young boys and a woman.
While being briefed about the prevailing situation, the Chief Minister said the Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) should not remain a mere word but become a potent tool while dealing with law-and-order situations.
Five civilians have died in firing by security forces on protesters since Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir.
The incidents occurred as protesters were demonstration against alleged molestation in Handwara town of Kupwara district.
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
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