PDP demands probe into Kupwara incident

Srinagar, June 11 (UNI) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a ruling coalition partner in Jammu and Kashmir, today demanded a thorough probe into the killing of a civilian in an incident of firing on protestors demonstrating against the alleged desecration of a mosque at Zirhama in Kupwara district yesterday.

In a statement here today, a PDP spokesman strongly condemned the incident and demanded a thorough probe to restore public confidence.

''Such unfortunate incidents only add to the public alienation and are a setback to the ongoing peace process,'' he added.

He claimed that despite assurances at the highest level regarding upholding human rights, the occurrence of such unfortunate incidents vitiate the atmosphere, fuelling public unrest.

The spokesman said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance of zero-tolerance for human rights violations would be translated into a reality only when the men in uniform operating at the ground level make this happen.

''If the Army, security forces and the police ensure that no such incidents recur in future, it will be their great contribution to the national interest and the peace process,'' he added.

The spokesman urged the state government to order an inquiry into both the alleged incident of desecration of the Zirhama mosque and the subsequent firing on protesters resulting in the killing of a civilian.

He demanded that the sanctity of all religious institutions be safeguarded and nobody allowed to play with public sentiments.

The spokesman expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and demanded immediate release of ex-gratia relief to it.

He appealed to the people to maintain calm and not fall into hands of the ''elements wanting to draw political mileage'' out of the tragedy.

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