The Hindu : 'Healing touch' to continue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 22, 2002

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National

'Healing touch' to continue

By Shujaat Bukhari

A relative of the slain PDP MLA, Abdul Aziz Mir, wailing over his body. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

JAMMU DEC. 21. Even as thousands of people participated today in the funeral of Abdul Aziz Mir, MLA of the People's Democratic Party who was gunned down by terrorists on Friday at Pampore in south Kashmir, the party vice-president, Mehbooba Mufti, said that the Government's "healing touch'' policy had not failed.

Over 5,000 mourners converged at Mir's Konibal residence. They shouted slogans against police, whom they blamed for dereliction of duty, and demanded stern action against the killers. They, however, did not shout slogans against militants.

A moved Mehbooba Mufti said that the PDP's policy of "healing touch'' had not failed and that the Government would continue to pursue the programme of restoring peace in the State. "Healing touch is not directed towards a section but the whole society,'' she said. The Rural Development Minister, Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed, and a number of legislators were also present. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, and the Finance Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beig, are expected to visit Pampore tomorrow.

Four PSOs suspended

Four personal security officers of Mir have been suspended. Two of them were absent when the attack took place and two were with the MLA.

Police sources said that all his eight security guards would be dismissed — they had almost run away when the lone militant attacked Mir in broad daylight.

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