Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 29: Government today said that Pakistan is waging a proxy war in Kashmir and they are in touch with Centre over the issue for incident free Amarnath yatra and tourist season.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said in the Legislative Assembly here that the recent attacks in the Valley on security forces are not ordinary law and order problem but a proxy war from across the border. “It is not just a law and order problem. It is a proxy war from across the border,” he said.
Singh was responding to the demands from opposition National Conference MLAs that the State Government make a statement on the security situation in the state in view of the “war hysteria” created by the BJP MLAs in the House early this week.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that Government is in touch with the Centre over the issue. “We are in touch with the Centre over the matter. We want to ensure a peaceful and incident free Amarnath yatra and tourist season,” he said.
Singh said that recent attacks are a serious concern for everyone. “The concern opposition shows is of every one. These attacks also took place in previous Government and we are serious about it”, he said.
Opposition leader Omar Abdullah, however, retorted that while it is good that Government is concerned about the safety of Amarnath pilgrims and tourists, it should also think about the safety of the people living in the State throughout the year. “The Amarnath yatra will be over in a month and the tourist season will finish in two months but what about the safety of people living the State throughout the year, especially those living in the border areas?”, Omar asked.
The former Chief Minister said although the House has been in session, the Government has maintained a silence over the security issue. “Today we come to know about various things through the media.
Media reports say the infiltration is up or down, another report says CRPF will be withdrawn from road opening duty and another one says BSF will be recalled for counter-insurgency duties. What is the truth? The Government should make a detailed statement on this,” he said.
Launching a scathing attack on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for making short appearances in the House, Omar said she chooses a question and intervenes during the Question hour. “That makes up for the press release and then she is not here. Please tell the Chief Minister to come to the House and make a statement on the issue tomorrow,” he added.
The Deputy Chief Minister responded by assuring the Assembly that the Government will make a detailed statement on the issue tomorrow, the last day of the ongoing budget session.
Earlier, National Conference MLAs Ali Mohammad Sagar and Devender Rana, supported by CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami, created uproar in the House. They said while everyone was concerned about the security issue and alleged that the State Government is silent over it. “The Prime Minister is concerned, the Defence Minister and Home Minister are concerned about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. The team from Centre is here and DG CRPF is also here. But the State which is affected, its Government is silent,” Sagar said.
Rana also raked up the issue and said Government should make a statement over the issue on the floor of the House. “It is a serious issue. We want to know, how many were killed, how many injured”, he said.
Tarigami also expressed concern over Government’s silence. “It is concern of everybody in the house. Let Government come forward with the statement”, he demanded.
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