The PDP and NC MLAs have urged on the Police to desist from attacking the families of the militants stating that this was risking the lives of the workers in the militancy infested areas of South Kashmir.
A number of PDP workers that Kashmir Post spoke to said that they were apprehensive about the lives of their families
MLA Tral, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah, said the security forces should “stop harassing the families of militants. “It has only landed poor workers in trouble. When you ransack their houses, they (militants) will react,” he said.
PDP MLA said he also met chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and brought the concerns to his notice. “I asked CM that what has happened to our healing touch policy. Our own people are now in serious fear,” he said.
MLA Shopian, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, said the security forces should refrain from attacking the families of militants. “I know our forces (Army, J&K police and others) are disciplined forces. So no disciplined force should harass family of a militant. It is very unfortunate. It is a war between militants and forces. Families shouldn’t be involved in it,” he said.
Asking state government to stop raiding the houses of militants, National Conference (NC) MLA,
Abdul Majid Larmi, said that “ these actions have not only created fear psychosis among political leaders and workers in South Kashmir but local policemen are also feeling scared to visit their houses.” “If I have committed a crime, why are you targeting my family? The raids on the houses of militants should stop as they have started reacting and are targeting the local policemen and political workers. Ransacking of militant houses should stop immediately,” NC legislator said.
“It’s better to start counseling the families of militants than to harass them. Love begets love and any force will invite the wrath of militants. We are all scared and feel insecure in our houses. From past couple of days the houses of political workers are being attacked and raided. This has been happening due to wrong policies of the government,” Larmi said.
“Leave aside political workers, even policemen in South Kashmir are feeling insecure and are reluctant to visit their houses. If such situation persists, it will only lead to chaos and confusion,” NC legislator said.
MLA Wachi Aijaz Ahmad Mir said, “The gun in the family has been picked up by one and not the whole family. The forces shouldn’t harass families of militants. The militants shouldn’t also harass families of political workers or policemen,” he said. “The security forces have provoked militants by ransacking their houses. Now we have become soft targets. The forces have risked our lives. Militants have made us targets,” a group of PDP workers in Wachi told Kashmir Post. They said they are mulling to go for mass resignation. “We will inform the party leaders. If the party leaders don’t listen to us then we will submit resignation and will announce this on mosque loudspeakers,” they said.
Mir said that the “ local political workers are for development of their areas.” “ They shouldn’t be involved in this entire gun versus gun fight. Both sides should stick to the basics of the fight,” he added.
Militants have attacked the mainstream political party leaders and several videos have also been circulated on social networking sites threatening in which militants threatened the leaders. In one video a militant is heard telling a PDP worker that “he should convey to his Chief Minister that they are at war with the militants and not their families.”
PDP, NC MLA’s urge police to refrain from attacking militant families
