Ensure end to encounters in Kashmir before by-elections: NC & Congress to EC
SRINAGAR: The opposition National Conference and Congress parties in Jammu & Kashmir have urged the state government to create a peaceful atmosphere and stop encounters against militants ahead of parliamentary by-elections scheduled next month to ensure free and fair polls.
The opposition parties alleged that the People's Democratic party-Bharatiya Janata Party government would benefit from a low turnout in the elections and thus were not paying heed to the ground situation, which is 'surcharged and worrying'. State police chief SP Vaid told ET the concerns of the opposition parties would be considered and efforts would be taken to maintain law and order.
Vaid said the police regularly reviews the situation and the strategy to improve the overall situation in the state. Opposition leaders plan to put forward their concerns over the prevalent situation in the Valley to the Election Commission of India, which is holding an all-party meeting on Monday.
The commission announced last week that by-elections would be held in Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9 and in Anantnag on April 12. The seats fell vacant last year after Tariq Hamid Karra, the then PDP parliamentarian from Srinagar, resigned in protest against atrocities of government forces on the civilian population and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti stepped down after being elected to the state assembly.
"There should be no incident due to which people will feel chocked, fearfulor more angry. We will definitely want the encounters to stop as of now," state Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir told ET. Militancy is on rise in the Valley, with about 214 militants active, mostly in the south Kashmir districts, where the polling is scheduled. So far this year, 27 militants have been killed, mainly in south Kashmir.
"There is a surcharged atmosphere and anger against the government. Maybe they want the situation to flare up as a high polling percentage will upset the government," said Mir. The encounters have triggered civilian protests, with people throwing rocks at government forces to provide safe passage for militants. At least four civilians were killed in two recent encounters. Also, massive attendance at the funerals of militants continues to be a concern for government agencies.
"The situation is fine only in the government's perspective. Otherwise, where is normalcy?" former minister and National Conference leader Ali Muhammad Sagar asked. The NC leader lashed out at the PDP-BJP government, saying an election boycott would only favour the current dispensation. "Encounters should stop, only then can a peaceful atmosphere be created and we will be able to reach out to the people," said Sagar.
The opposition parties alleged that the People's Democratic party-Bharatiya Janata Party government would benefit from a low turnout in the elections and thus were not paying heed to the ground situation, which is 'surcharged and worrying'. State police chief SP Vaid told ET the concerns of the opposition parties would be considered and efforts would be taken to maintain law and order.
Vaid said the police regularly reviews the situation and the strategy to improve the overall situation in the state. Opposition leaders plan to put forward their concerns over the prevalent situation in the Valley to the Election Commission of India, which is holding an all-party meeting on Monday.
The commission announced last week that by-elections would be held in Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9 and in Anantnag on April 12. The seats fell vacant last year after Tariq Hamid Karra, the then PDP parliamentarian from Srinagar, resigned in protest against atrocities of government forces on the civilian population and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti stepped down after being elected to the state assembly.
"There should be no incident due to which people will feel chocked, fearfulor more angry. We will definitely want the encounters to stop as of now," state Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir told ET. Militancy is on rise in the Valley, with about 214 militants active, mostly in the south Kashmir districts, where the polling is scheduled. So far this year, 27 militants have been killed, mainly in south Kashmir.
"There is a surcharged atmosphere and anger against the government. Maybe they want the situation to flare up as a high polling percentage will upset the government," said Mir. The encounters have triggered civilian protests, with people throwing rocks at government forces to provide safe passage for militants. At least four civilians were killed in two recent encounters. Also, massive attendance at the funerals of militants continues to be a concern for government agencies.
"The situation is fine only in the government's perspective. Otherwise, where is normalcy?" former minister and National Conference leader Ali Muhammad Sagar asked. The NC leader lashed out at the PDP-BJP government, saying an election boycott would only favour the current dispensation. "Encounters should stop, only then can a peaceful atmosphere be created and we will be able to reach out to the people," said Sagar.
