3 mainstream parties demand probe in youths death in police firing

Srinagar, Jun 24 (UNI) Condemning firing on people demonstrating against the transfer of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), three mainstream political parties today demanded a high level inquiry into use of force by police.

In a joint press statement issued here this afternoon, State Secretary of the CPI(M) Mohammad Yousuf Targami, President PDF Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and Ghulam Hassan Mir, President JKDP said the loss of a precious life and injuries to scores of people demonstrating against diversion of forest land to SASB for non-forestry purposes was extremely painful as well as lamentable.

They said in democracy people reserve the right to express themselves through peaceful protests.

Use of force against peaceful demonstrators was unwarranted and condemnable, they said.

We demand a high-level enquiry in to the unfortunate firing incident and caution the state government to desist from using force against people and allow peaceful dissent.

The leaders reiterated that the order of diversion of forest land for non-forestory purposes be rescinded forthwith and the erring official removed and punished.

They said the derogatory incriminating and highly provocative remarks by state BJP Chief Ashok Khajuria deserve to be condemned unequivocally by every responsible citizen.

It hardly needs to be said that Kashmiris, particularly muslims have been voluntarily aiding, helping and facilitating Yatra for centuries not out of any compulsion or coercion but as a matter of their deep faith in multiculturalism, religious tolerance and brotherhood.

They said that Kashmiris have continued carrying physically weak and old pilgrims on their backs to the Cave at the risk of their own lives. They did not do this because of any compulsion but because of their firm faith in the principle of co-existence and brotherhood.

The Sangh Parivar has been although uneasy about this unity in diversity. The Parivar is hell bent on destroying this unity and divide people on communal lines for petty electoral politics, they alleged.

We appeal to people of the State to unitedly frustrate the evil designs of divisive forces, the leaders said in the statement.

They also urged people of the State not to loose cool while expressing themselves on this issue. ''All of us should be vigilant against any drift in the situation and not to allow the vested interests to use this situation for petty electoral gains, they said.

UNI BAS AKJ AS1501