JKANC demands resignation Chief Minister

Srinagar, July 10, 2009: The Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference (JKANC) on Friday demanded resignation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and alleged that the administrative apparatus has ceased to exist in the state. "It is better that the coalition pack its bags and leave us to our fate. They and their administrative apparatus have ceased to exist," vice-president of the party Muzaffar Shah said here today.

He said that the situation has reached to a point, where parents are not sure, if their children will come back alive or arrive in body bags.

"The Government has failed to unearth the facts. Be it Shopian, Baramulla, Khaigam, Bomai, Maisuma and now Kupwara. The absence of exemplary action in previous cases has emboldened the perpetrators to continue their killings, as they know that they can get away with it," Shah said.

"The Chief Minister talked about withdrawal of AFSPA and CRPF from the three districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal and Budgam, but after coming back from Delhi, he backtracked and put in excuses to legitimise the continuation of draconian laws and high handedness," Shah said.

Asking the civil society to play a proactive role in the ongoing agitation, Shah disapproved burning of petrol pumps, stoning of private transport or burning of shopping markets.

"This is no way to vent our feelings. This way we are harming our own people and society. The protesters should be careful and peaceful, while protesting and ensure no harm to civilian lives and property.

The JKANC leader also condemned the murder of young Asrar Mushtaq Dar of Maisuma and demanded that the gruesome murder be solved on a priority basis.

"We are yet to recover from the Maisuma tragedy and suddenly we hear that Amina, a resident of Dolipora-Trehgam has died of a heart attack following an attempted rape by an Army jawan," Shah said.

(Agencies)