Don’t make Kashmiris pay for one man’s act: Mehbooba Mufti

Kupwara, Nov 18: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should not be subjected to collective punishment for a single person involved in the Delhi car blast.

Talking to reporters after visiting the residence of late Inspector Asrar-ul-Haq Shah at Muqam-e-Shahwali, Drugmulla, in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, where she offered condolences and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family, Mehbooba said that the guilty must be held accountable, but ordinary Kashmiris should not be made to suffer.

She expressed concern over the circumstances that led to the Nowgam Police Station blast, saying, “Policemen and other officials were put at unnecessary risk as service of professionals was not utilised.”

Mehbooba said that J&K was currently passing through a tough phase and demanded an immediate and thorough inquiry into the Nowgam Police Station blast.

Questioning about the transportation of explosive material, she said, “How was such a huge quantity of explosives transported to Kashmir from Delhi?”

The PDP chief called for clarity and accountability in the investigation. She said that many of the deceased have young children who were now left behind in grief and urged the government to provide every possible assistance and adequate compensation to the affected families.

Mehbooba demanded that those who lost their lives in the Nowgam Police Station blast be honoured with the highest bravery awards in recognition of their sacrifice.