Srinagar/Jammu: Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Decleration (PAGD), while describing the court verdict against Yasin Malik as unfortunate, has said that it is a setback to efforts for peace.
“Life imprisonment given to Yasin Malik is unfortunate and a setback to the efforts for peace. We are afraid that this will further compound the uncertainties in the region and will only fuel more alienation and separatist feelings,” M Y Tarigami, spokesman of PAGD said in a statement issued here today.
He said that though the NIA Court has delivered its verdict but not justice.
“The triumphalism being displayed by the BJP and the corporate media is bound to prove counterproductive,” he said.
Tarigami said that PAGD suggests that Yasin Malik should avail all legal opportunities to contest this verdict.
However, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina on Wednesday welcomed the Delhi court’s order awarding life imprisonment to JKLF chairman Yasin Malik in a terror funding case, saying that the separatist leader “deserved it for the sins committed against the people and the country”.
Raina also lashed out at PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti for speaking against the verdict and said “militants are no friends with anyone as is evident that thousands of Muslims, along with members of minority communities like Pandits and Sikhs, were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.”
“He (Malik) himself pleaded guilty before the NIA court which has now awarded him the life sentence. We welcome the decision of our judiciary which has always acted in an impartial manner,” the BJP leader said.
Raina said there is hardly any family in Kashmir which had not been affected by terrorism. “He (Malik) was a sympathiser of Pakistan and its sponsored terrorism. He had committed sins against the people and the country,” he said.
Raina said the police will take care of those who have come on the roads in Srinagar to protest the court verdict against Malik.
Meanwhile, Nirmal Khanna, wife of slain Indian Air Force squadron leader Ravi Khanna, also welcomed the court verdict against Malik and said “she is patiently waiting for the court decision in her case against the JKLF chief”.
Ravi was among four IAF personnel who were killed in a terror attack in Srinagar in January 1990 and Malik is one of the accused facing trial in the case.
“The case will come up for hearing in July. I have been waiting for justice for the past 32 years. I want blood for blood in this case,” Nirmal told reporters at her residence here.
