PDP’s silence on loss of lives incriminating: NC

NC termed the death of 21-year-old Asif Ahmad Tantray of Kulgam as tragic and distressing. NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu, while condemning the loss of an innocent life at the site of an encounter in Kulgam on Monday, said the Chief Minister’s continued “invisibility and inaction” had created a palpable sense of anxiety and apprehension in the State.

“The death of young Asif Ahmad Tantray in Kulgam this morning due to a bullet injury at the site of an encounter is tragic and perturbing. While the State Government is yet to answer the questions raised by a spate of civilian killings in Sopore, another young life has been lost in Kulgam today. The loss of this innocent young life in the holy month of Ramadan is heart-rending and inconsolable. PDP’s tacit silence over such tragedies since coming to power in an alliance with the BJP has belied the party’s earlier rhetoric and theatrics – especially that of PDP President Mehbooba Mufti who is virtually missing and chose not to even issue a condemnation for the Sopore killings”, NC spokesman Junaid Mattu said in a statement issued here.

“Are civilian killings not worth mourning for Mehbooba Mufti now that she is enamored by the petty trappings of power? Her silence has been construed as a tacit approval of suppression and injustice – especially after she remained completely silent after a spate of civilian killings in Sopore”, the NC Spokesman stated.

The spokesman said National Conference stands in solidarity with the family of young Asif Ahmad and demands that the circumstances leading to his death be disclosed by the State Government at the earliest possible instance.

Meanwhile, NC Legislators Abdul Majeed Larmi, Altaf Ahmed Kaloo and Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri protested over the civilian killing in Kulgam in front of Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed during the District Development Board Meeting for Anantnag District. The NC Legislators while condemning the tragic loss of a young life in Kulgam, demanded that a judicial probe be announced to ascertain the circumstances leading to the death of young Asif Ahmed. The NC Legislators also condemned the harassment of civilians in the area and said such an approach would result in further alienation. Demanding Ex-gratia relief for the family of the victim and a job to the next of kin, National Conference legislators halted the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and demanded an unambiguous statement from him over the civilian killing in Kulgam.