SAD extends support for alternative Jhelum route, condemns killings

Srinagar, Aug 12 (UNI) Strongly condemning the killing of senior Hurriyat Conference (HC) leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz and others in police firing, Jammu and Kashmir Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar and Mann) has extended it full support to the people of the state for seeking alternative Jhelum Valley route for trade.

J&K state president of the party, Mehta Adeep Singh said an emergency meeting was held today which strongly condemned the shooting and gruesome killing of the Hurriyat leader and many protestors in Kashmir by police and Army.

He said the party, on behalf of its entire cadre of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab ''condoles the death of Mr Aziz and other Kashmiri protestors who were only trying to find an alternative route of survival against the economic blockade done by some irresponsible Jammu-based leaders who do not have any vision of national interest but only communal attitude.'' It was shocking that when the Indian government announced the opening of Muzaffarabad as a trading route in October last year, there was nothing wrong to press for the opening of the route for surival, Mr Singh added.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann) also extends its full support to the people of Kashmir in their endeavor to seek alternative routes of survival.

''We also appeal to the transport companies of the country to continue their movement of moving supplies for our brethren in Kashmir as that could serve in the better interest of the nation and not become pauns in the hands of the communal forces of Jammu and other regions,'' the party said.

UNI BAS QAB SKB RK1310