KNZ NEWS DESK
Targeting families of militants:PDP legislator to boycott Aug 15 celebrations as a mark of protestSrinagar, Aug 10, : People’s Democratic Party legislator from Tral, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Friday appealed Governor Administration not to harass the relatives of militants. He said this move will have serious implications and it will further alienate the already depressed youth of South Kashmir.Shah’s appeal came in wake of detention of over a dozen people, mostly relatives of militants by police in different parts of Tral town.Shah told CNS that he is really disturbed by the latest trend in which relatives and ‘innocent’ young men are being picked up by governmentforces in Tral. “Police have made arrests from Seer, Gulshanpora, Laam,Nazneen Pora. Being a public representative, I am answerable to peoplebut police didn’t listen to me which is unfortunate. If the trend doesn’t stop, there will be more surge in militancy. It is better tohave reconciliatory policy than the one based on revenge and avenge.”Mushtaq Ahmed Shah said that as a mark of protest he will boycott the proceedings of upcoming August 15 celebrations.“What is the fault of therelatives of militants. Why are you harassing them. You have to fight against militants and youshould not target the family members of thesemilitants. Late Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed was of the belief and opinion that families of militants should not and can’t be targeted,” he said and urged Governor NN Vohra to ensure families of militants are not targeted.Meanwhile, protests were held amid a complete shutdown in Tral township against thearrest spree.Scores of people took to streets and pelted stoneson army vehicles passingthrough the area to lodgetheir protest against random arrests.Shops and business establishments remainedclosed in the town while traffic also remained off the roads.
