Deal firmly with the spurt in violence: Mehbooba

Srinagar, May 27 (UNI) Expressing concern and dismay over the sudden spurt in the violence, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Ms Mehbooba Mufti today said the prevalent security situation in the Kashmir valley is grim and called for appropriate measures to deal with it.

The recent violent incidents including attacks on tourists have brought the situation back to square one and a general sense of insecurity has engulfed the people, Ms Mehbooba said in a statement here.

The president of the PDP, a partner in the coalition government, said at a time when the state was slowly but steadily trying to come on the peace track, these unfortunate incidents have created a fresh fear psychosis, making the atmosphere tense.

Describing the recent killing of four tourists as the most shocking incident, Ms Mufti said by resorting to such dastardly acts, the perperators intend to spread scare to keep tourists away from the valley.

She said perhaps unnerved by the stabilisation of the security situation and growing involvement of the people in the democratic processes over the past three years, these elements are now trying to throw Kashmir once again into isolation to make it a breeding ground for violence.

Ms Mufti said from a mere 25000 in the year 2002, the tourist arrivials to the valley had shot up to around 3 lakh in the previous year with the improvement in the situation.

She said this had not only helped Kashmiris to rebuild bridges with rest of the world but had brought to them economic prosperity as well.

"Some elements who do not want peace and prosperity return to Kashmir have started destabilizing the situation once again," she said and cautioned that any reversal of the gains made during the past three years and subversion of the peace process at this crucial juncture could have disastrous consquences not only for the State, but for the whole sub-continent as well.

Ms Mufti said people have the power to give a befitting reply to the subversive elements and their involment in the peace process is imperative for its success.

She has asked the Government to deal with the situation with sagacity without falling into the trap of the disruptive elements which otherwise could add to further alienation of the people.

UNI BAS PA ND1652