Mufti writes to PM on Guru’s remains

SRINAGAR, Feb 26:
People’s Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today termed the execution of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru as a “negative reference point in Kashmir’s painful history”.
In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Sayeed demanded that the mortal remains of Guru, who was hanged in Tihar jail on February 9, be returned to his family for proper burial and last rites.
“I am writing this letter after an agonising fortnight that in my opinion witnessed all the efforts at rebuilding a relationship of trust between Kashmir and rest of the country almost evaporate into thin air,” he said.
“The manner in which Mohammad Afzal Guru was executed in secrecy and very obvious unholy haste is another hugely negative reference point in our (Kashmir’s) painful history,” Sayeed said.
The PDP patriach wrote in the letter that he was deeply anxious about the possible fallout of the hanging on younger generations.
Alleging that the Centre had “completely ignored the voices of sanity” on Guru’s hanging, Sayeed said even though the feelings of pain and anger did not erupt as expected, it should not be construed as an absence of such feelings.
He said the hanging does not convey to Jammu and Kashmir a message “of being equal partners in the idea of India”.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, in the letter, said the hanging could impact the peace in the region.
Sayeed also rued the fact that his family was not given a last chance to meet him.
Demanding return of Guru’s mortal remains, he said this would reduce the pain of his family and help in rebuilding of bridges between Kashmir and rest of the country.
“It (handing of the body) will also reduce the pain of his family and perhaps open the way for some rebuilding of bridges at the psychological level between Kashmir and rest of the country.
“I have already said the return of Guru’s remains to his family is the minimum that the Government can do to apply some balm to a deep wound,” the letter said. (PTI)

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