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PDP to boycott Assembly

Shujaat Bukhari

Playing politics on bodies is not my trait: Omar

SRINAGAR: The Opposition People's Democratic Party, calling for action against those responsible for the killing of 109 civilians in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir, said its members would boycott the rest of the autumn session of the Assembly, which began here on Thursday, until the demand was met.

In his speech later, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he did not believe in doing politics over bodies. He said he felt the pain over the deaths more than any one else.

‘Black day'

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, speaking on an obituary reference, said: “For us, it is a black day. In the last three months, 109 people got killed including 45 teenagers, many young girls and women. The unfortunate part is that the government has put a price tag on these deaths — Rs. 5 lakh in ex gratia or Rs. 4 lakh plus a job.”

Ms. Mehbooba questioned the government accusing her party and Pakistan of orchestrating the protests. “You (government) gave the signal to the police to kill people. Not only this, forces including police were given a kind of licence to kill people.”

The PDP leader said: “Action should be initiated against the people involved in the 109 killings so that we could show our face to people. Till then, we will boycott further proceedings of this House in protest,” Ms. Mehbooba said before walking out.

Mr. Abdullah said: “Playing politics on dead bodies is not my trait.” Referring to the deaths, he said: “I feel as if 109 parts of my heart have been amputated. God alone knows how much I am grieved and how much I am bereaved.”

The Chief Minister said many people made it a point to deliver political speeches and wear black bands to exploit the grief of common sufferers, “but I am not of that sort.”

Despite the PDP leader and an Independent MLA politicising the obituary session, he said, he would not play politics on this occasion of conveying sorrow to the bereaved. “I am ready to speak at full length on the subject when the appropriate time is allotted in the Assembly.”

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