Jammu, May 03: Expressing concern over the “volatile situation” in south Kashmir’s poll-bound Shopian district after an encounter between security forces and militants, Congress leader G A Mir Friday asked law enforcing agencies to exercise “maximum restraint” while dealing with protesters.
Three militants were killed in the encounter today, following which clashes broke out between protestors and security forces near the site of the gunfight, according to officials.
While officials claimed that two persons suffered “minor pellet injuries in the security forces’ action”, local reports put the number of injured people are 17. They said three among them who were received pallets were brought to a Srinagar hospital for treatment while another person with a bullet injury in the leg is being treated in a local hospital.
“We express anguish over the prevailing situation in Shopian district of south Kashmir in the backdrop of the gunfight at Adkhara village in the district. Security forces should exercise maximum restraint while dealing with protestors,” said Mir, who is contesting elections as the Congress’s candidate from the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat.
Pulwama and Shopian districts are a part of the constituency which will see polling on May 06.
In a statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Congress president also expressed serious concern over the “extremely volatile situation” prevailing in Shopian district.
“The atmosphere could vitiate in case of civilian casualties and this can become a major setback to peace and tranquility in south Kashmir,” he said and asked security forces to exercise restraint.
Efforts must be made to restore calm in the district rather than spraying pellets and bullets, Mir said.
He also appealed to the people, especially the youth, to maintain peace and not to confront security forces as that will create more problems in the district.
