Jammu July 18:(KNS) National Conference today condemned unprovoked Pak shelling on the civilian areas along the Line of Control and expressed deep grief and anguish over the killing of a prominent party worker, his wife and teenage son in Village Karmara in the Poonch District.
“At a time when the entire world is grappling with the pandemic of coronavirus, Pakistan Army is indulging in ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir and inhuman targeting of civilians”, senior National Conference leaders said in a statement issued from Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this morning.
The statement issued to KNS, described the unabated and unprovoked shelling from across the LoC as highly deplorable, saying targeting old, women and children is not only uncivilized and inhuman but barbaric as well. This speaks of Pakistan’s scant regard for human lives, the leaders said, adding that the areas adjacent to LoC are reeling under constant fear and spell of uncertainty. The shelling has almost paralysed normal activities in forward areas with people having sleepless nights for their safety. The situation has further worsened with delay in the construction of community bunkers and safety sheds for people to take refuge during the inhuman acts being committed by Pakistan Army.
The late last night shelling has sent shockwaves along the border belt of the Poonch and Rajouri districts with the people feeling immense degree of insecurity, the statement said, adding that the killing of the couple in their fifties and their teen-age son is gruesome and deserves condemnation from the peace loving citizens from across the world. They prayed for peace to the noble souls of the shelling victims Mohammed Rafiq, a prominent National Conference worker of Poonch, his wife Rafia Bi and their 15 year old son Irfan. They also wished speedy recovery to the injured in the shelling.
“Our hearts go to the nears and dears of the family, which perished in the unfortunate shelling”, the National Conference leaders said, reiterating that no words were enough to describe the human catastrophe taking place alongside the LoC over the years. There seems to be no end to it, they lamented.
The National Conference leaders referred to the loss of precious human lives and damages to the property over the years in Poonch and Rajouri belt, saying the administration has failed in instilling a sense of security among the people and taking effective measures to meet such challenges which has become a norm in the border areas. They also expressed concern over the lackadaisical approach of the concerned agencies in reaching out to the affected people during the hour of need and providing them assistance. They said the lofty promises with regard to construction of bunkers on war footing basis, establishment of shelter sheds and allotment of plots for vulnerable segments of population have proven to be hoax. As if all this was not enough, the lack of facilities like mobility in emergencies and healthcare in exigencies have added to the miseries of the border dwellers, they said and urged the administration to come out with a roadmap and foot proof plans for meeting such challenges during the grim times of Pak shelling.
Besides Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana, those who condemned the killings include Ajay Kr. Sadhotra, Surjeet Singh Slathia, Rattan Lal Gupta, Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Th Kashmira Singh, Th Rachpal Singh, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Javed Ahmed Rana, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, Ajaz Jan, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardhy, Babu Rampaul, Abdul Gani Malik, Dr. Chaman Lal Bhagat, Qazi Jalal Ud Din, Brij Mohan Sharma, Tarlochan Singh Wazir, Jagjeevan Lal, Jugal Mahajan, Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Bashir Ahmed Wani, Choudhry Liaqat, Surinder Singh Bunty, Rahim Daad, Haji Mohd Hussain, Master Noor Hussain, Sheikh Abdul Rehman, Mohd Iqbal Bhat, Bimla Luthra, Satwant Kour Dogra, Deepender Kour, Swarn Lata, Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Pradeep Bali, Vijay Lakshmi Dutta, Anil Dhar, Bushan Lal Bhat, Wali Dad, Chander Mohan Sharma, Dr. Gagan Bhagat, Rakesh Singh Raka, Rita Gupta Sajjad Shaheen, Israr Khan, Vijay Lochan, Abdul Gani Teli, Ch. Haroon, Som Nath Khajuria, Kr Yashivinder Singh and others.(KNS)