Guru Manyo Granth condemns killing of Kashmiris in police firing

Srinagar, Aug 12 (UNI) Expressing deep anguish over the killing of Kashmiris, including senior Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, the Guru Manyo Granth society said firing on peaceful processionists who were demanding an alternative route for survival was barbaric and inhumane.

In a statement issue here today, the society urged the members of all the communities to maintain peace and communal harmony and help to restore normalcy in the state.

The society condemned the use of brutal force on innocent protesters in Kashmir and Jammu region and said there were other means by which the problem could have been resolved.

''Using force on innocent people is a crime, killing of innocent protesters is an act which puts entire humanity to shame.'' The statement said.

The society urged the government not to resort to brutal force to crush the voice of the people as it could further aggravate the situation and would further escalate the tension.

The society urged the people of Jammu to henceforth end the ''economical blockade'' of Valley as targeting a region which we consider an integral part of the country is unacceptable.

It wanted to make clear that on one hand the Sikh population of the country wants the situation to be resolved amicably through dialogue, while on the other the Sikh population of the country wants to maintain a neutral stand on the issue and does not extend their support to any of the party.

''We want to remain neutral, as both Muslims and Hindu are dear to us. We only want that both the communities should sit together and help end the impasse that has taken an alarming shape and magnitude.'' the statement said.

The participation of Sikhs in the anti-Kashmir protest is a ploy of some communally motivated parties to showcase that the anti- Kashmir protest has the support of Sikh community.

The society said the decision of Punjab to enforce economic blockade of Kashmir is most unfortunate. It alleged that the Punjab government has taken the decision under pressure from BJP.

The Guru Manyo Granth society extends its condolences for the people who lost their lives in the ongoing agitation and have appealed to the state and the central government to henceforth stop this barbaric massacre of the people, the statement added.

UNI BAS AM KP1629