‘Entire Kashmir in state of sorrow’
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 18: Stressing the need for a thorough investigation, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said that the Nowgam accidental blast has raised “serious questions” that must be answered.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the family of deceased Inspector Shah Asrar-ul-Haq at Muqam-e-Shahwali, Drugmulla in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Mufti said the incident should never have occurred and that experts, rather than police personnel, should have handled the seized explosives at the station.
Mufti said there must be a comprehensive inquiry into the Nowgam incident “because it has raised serious questions.”
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“What was the need for bringing the explosives to Kashmir and then keeping it in a police station? It ended up killing even those who did not have any expertise in handling such matters,” she said.
She added that many questions remain unanswered. “These families must be taken care of well. And those who have lost their lives should be awarded for bravery.”
Referring to the blast that killed several police personnel, she said Kashmir is going through a terrible phase.
“This incident should not have happened, and for handling such explosives, the experts should have been engaged. Engaging the people from police was dangerous,” she said.
Mufti said the entire Kashmir Valley is in deep sorrow over the tragedy, stressing that while those responsible must be punished, innocent people should not suffer.
“Asrar has small kids and it is heart-wrenching. Entire Kashmir is in sorrow. Somebody made a mistake, the collective punishment should not be given to the people of J&K. Culprits must be punished, but a common Kashmiri should not be made to suffer,” she said.
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