Separatists, politicians condemn Doda killing

Srinagar, May 1: Cutting across party lines separatists and mainstream political parties have strongly condemened the killing of 22 Hindus by unidentified gunmen in Doda district of Jammu region late last night.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah demanded a thorough probe into the incident while the breakaway Hurriyat Conference (HC) headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani said Amnesty International or Asia Watch should be enthrusted the job of conducting an inquiry into the incident to bring the culprits to book.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the killing of innocent people was aimed to derail the ongoing peace process in the state.

'' There are some people, having vested interests, within and outside the country who are working to derail the peace process, particuarly the second round of Round table conference on Kashmir later this month,'' he said.

Mr Azad said people behind the killing are frustrated after unprecedented voter turnout in the byelections in four Assembly constituencies in the state.

People of the state have demonstrated that they are against violence and in favour of peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, the Chief Minister said.

It was an inhuman act which should be condemned by one and all, he said.

The peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief patron and former chief miniter Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also condemnd the Doda massacre.

He said such acts of desperation should not be allowed to hamper the peace process and militants must also acknowledge the change mindset and mood of the people. They must come forward and cooperate in stabilisation of the peace process.

''The huge turn-out of voters in the by-elections indicates growing confidence of people in the democratic process and the elements inimical to peace must read the writing on the wall,'' he said adding the fact that the poll boycott campaign had no impact on the voters clearly depicts the people's will to live a peaceful life in a democratic set up.

The Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz said the killing of 22 people in Kulhad in Doda district of Jammu region reflects the cowardice of those who are bent upon committing heinous crimes against humanity. In a condolence message to Azad, Prof Soz assured him that every sane person in the country was with him in the fight against terrorism.

Dr Farooq Abdullah, patron of the National Conference (NC) in a statement here today demanded an inquiry into the incident.

Expressing sympathy withthe bereaved families, Dr Abdullah said for the past 17 years people of the Jammu and Kashmir are being punished for no fault.

He demanded full compensation for the kin of the deceased people.

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Mohammad Yaseen Malik today left for Doda to express solidarity with the families who lost their dear ones.

A spokesman of the HC said Doda killing was not a first incident of its kind in the state. ''We have witnessed massacare of innocent people in the past,'' he said.

Spokesman said no mujahideen will be involved in such a crime.

Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party,Communist Party of India (M), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (Nanaji), Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum president Bhushan Bazaz and a number of other organisations have also condemned the killings.

UNI

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