In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), a coalition of region political parties, condemning the recent civilian killings has said that the current situation in the territory is the result of the failure of the Indian government’s policies that have brought Kashmir to this point.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a meeting of the PAGD was held today at the residence of Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar to take stock of the prevailing situation in the territory.
The meeting was attended by Mehbooba Mufti, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami and Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi.
“The PAGD unreservedly condemns the recent killings of innocent people in the Valley. These killings have created an atmosphere of fear that has not been seen in Kashmir since the early 90s,” an official statement issued by the PAGD after the meeting reads
The PAGD said that some recent decisions of the authorities had only served to heighten differences between the communities that otherwise were living peacefully amongst each other.
“While it is true that the majority of the civilian deaths in Kashmir have been Muslims, it does not absolve us of our responsibility to do everything in our power to help those who belong to religious minorities feel secure and we appeal to those who may be considering fleeing the Valley to reconsider their decision,” the statement reads.
“In the meeting of political leaders with the Indian Prime Minister on 24th June, 2021, the Prime Minister acknowledged “Dil Ki Doori ore Dili Say Doori” while promising to correct this distance.
Unfortunately, nothing has been done in this regard since that meeting. Arbitrary detentions and excessive use of force continue to be the norm in Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement reads.
“The killing of Pervez Ahmad yesterday evening is the direct result of the heightened state of alert and justification for use of force.
Harassment of innocent civilians and the killings like Pervez Ahmad will only serve to worsen the situation in Jammu & Kashmir,” it adds.—KMS
