Bilal Bashir Bhat
Srinagar, May 01 (KNB): Cutting across the political lines, the mainstream, separatists and armed leadership as well have strongly condemned the killing of three civilians in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Monday evening. Although the Police alleged militants hand behind the killing, however, none of the outfits so far claimed responsibility.
Pertinently, three youth civilians were killed on Monday evening after unknown gunmen fired upon them from a very close range in Iqbal Market at old town Baramulla, north of Kashmir. The slain persons have been identified as Asger Sheikh, Haseeb Khan and Asif Sheikh.
To condemn the killings Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti took to the social media site Twitter and wrote “Distressed to hear of 3 civilians being killed by militants in Baramulla. My deepest condolences to the deceased’s families.”
Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising of Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik expressing concern and condemnation over these killing appealed the United Nations to take note of this and set up an impartial inquiry into these killings.
“While the state authorities conveniently blame armed youth, the militant organisation, in fact, condemn the killings and many time blame state agencies. In the process the culprits never get identified. JRL reiterated that any killing on grounds of political or party affiliations is inhuman and un-Islamic and unacceptable to people and leadership of Kashmir,” reads a statement of JRL.
Militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen also condemned the civilian killings stated- “It is India who is killing Kashmiris,” appealing people to help them in identifying those who are behind such acts.
“3 civilians have been murdered by terrorists in Baramulla just now. I’d like to see the separatist leaders issue the sort of condemnation they usually reserve for when civilians are killed by security forces,” stated former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on his Twitter handle.
Taking a dig on local dailies, National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattoo stated “On expected lines, the three young men shot dead by militants in Baramulla yesterday have been relegated to a two column, nondescript space in the newspapers – hence subtly affirmed to be Wajib-ul-Qatal. Another day in the selective morality of this conflict.”
The netizens on different social networking sites also expressed concern and condemned the civilian killings.
“We are getting killed because we are militants’ Informers’ mainstream’ stone pelters and what not.We issue strike calendars to ask our own people to shut business’ education which is destroying our future and economy.Please educate me when and where are we hitting India.From movement of separation to Zakir Mosa’s ideology, it is all win-win situation for India.Let’s put our head’s together to review what we are heading for. Hope better sense prevails,” stated a Facebook user Ali Ahemad.
Meanwhile, emotional scenes were witnessed during the funeral of the three civilians, where hundreds of people took part in the prayers held at their native place in Old Baramulla town. (KNB)
