Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Oct 18: Senior Congress leader and former union minister Saifuddin Soz Monday said killing of civilians is a heinous crime and Kashmiris won’t tolerate it at any cost.
In an exclusive interview, Soz said, “All civilian killings are condemnable. Kashmiris won’t tolerate these killings and are unacceptable. We condemn all forms of violence. These incidents are against humanity.”
There is palpable fear in Kashmir following the recent civilian killings. At least 11 civilians have been killed in Kashmir so far. Among them five were non-local labourers. The other six were locals of Jammu and Kashmir from Muslim, Hindu and Sikh community.
He said poor labourers are coming from various parts of the country to earn their livelihood. “Killing these people is against humanity. These things are not acceptable in any religion,” the former union minister said.
He also took on the administration for failing to stop the killings of civilians. “I was told the administration is working to stop these killings. But nothing is being done on the ground to stop such killings. We all have to be united to save innocent lives. Strict action should be taken against those who are behind these killings. Kashmiris are united against these killings. Those who are killing innocent people, they have no humanity left,” he added.
The recent civilian killings have created a fear among people here. These incidents are the latest in a spate of terror-related attacks in Kashmir in recent weeks.
Soz also advocates for dialogue with Pakistan and other leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. “I even have been misquoted by a media house. I have been saying that dialogue should be held with all people and I am not supporting any form of violence. Pakistan is your neighbour so we have to talk to them. People want to live peacefully here. All want to stop bloodshed in Kashmir,” he said.
The veteran Congress leader also took on the Narendra Modi-led government over abrogation of Article 370. “Abrogation of Article 370 was wrong. Modi government did not benefit the nation by this decision. Tell me one benefit with abrogation of Article 370. Everyone, like labourers, shopkeepers are against this decision. Government is now scaring people only through filing wrong cases,” he added. (KINS)
