Says security forces given full freedom to avenge innocent killings
Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday told Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) that PM package employees will be shifted to secure district and Tehsil headquarters and to address other issues, a special cell has been constituted in LG secretariat.
Official sources said the PAGD leaders including Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, CPI (M) MY Tarigami, NC MP Hasnain Masoodi and Awami National Conference senior vice president Muzaffar Shah, met the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha. The Lt Governor, they said, assured the delegation that necessary action are being taken by the administration for safety and security of PM package employees. “The delegation raised the concern over innocent’s killing. Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha informed the delegation that the security forces have been given full freedom to avenge the killing of innocents,” the sources said, adding, “Lt Governor said, those aiding and abetting (militancy) will not be spared.” He also told the delegation that all PM package employees will be shifted to secure district and Tehsil headquarters and to address other issues, a special cell has been constituted in LG secretariat, they said. “Lt Governor also said that all parties are most welcome to give their suggestions on issues of targeted killing, eliminating (militancy), (militant) ecosystem, development, issues concerning youth etc.
” My doors are always open for people. All sections of polity and society must come together as a united front to eliminate terror ecosystem, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha Said.
Earlier the Gupkar alliance of major J&K parties urged Kashmiri pandit employees not to leave the valley as it was their home and it would be “painful for all”, after the community demanded their relocation following the killing of a member by terrorists.
The appeal by the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) came after the delegation met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at the Raj Bhavan here.
The meeting was over the issue of security of Kashmiri pandit employees in the aftermath of the killing of Rahul Bhat that has sparked protests by community members.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the spokesperson of the five-party alliance, M.Y. Tarigami, said the valley is as much the home of Kashmiri Pandits as it is of Kashmiri Muslims.
“We appeal to them that this nation is yours as well as mine. Do not leave your home. It is very painful for you and us,” Mr. Tarigami said.
The alliance spokesperson said if Kashmiri pandits want to leave Kashmir in the wake of Bhat’s killing, then what about the families of slain Kashmiri Muslims.
“If Rahul was killed, Riyaz (a policeman) was also killed. Where will Riyaz’s family and relatives go? You (Kashmiri pandits) do not have to leave your home. This is your home, this is my home. We will bear this tragedy together and try to safeguard each other,” he said.
The CPI(M) leader said the alliance raised the issue of the transfer of the employees to safer places.
However, there is no possibility of their transfer outside Kashmir, he said.
“We told them (a delegation of KP employees which the PAGD leaders met on Saturday) that we cannot afford to let them leave. The LG also agreed to that today,” he said.
He said while the protection of the minority communities in every society was the responsibility of the governments, the people “cannot afford to oblige those who want to disturb our unity”.
The delegation told Mr. Sinha that sufficient protection must be provided to the employees at their workplaces as well as wherever they live and all possible assistance be provided to them so that they live here with a sense of security, he said.
“We told the LG that it was not possible for them to work in remote areas, so relocate them to the areas where there is full security, so that they feel confident about their well being. We also told the LG to provide safer accommodation to them. The LG has agreed to it,” Mr. Tarigami said.
He said the meeting with Mr. Sinha was “useful” and “productive”.
Apart from Mr. Abdullah, who is also the president of the National Conference, the delegation comprised PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, Tarigami, NC MP Hasnain Masoodi and Awami National Conference senior vice president Muzaffar Shah.