Srinagar: Instead of sending more troops, the Centre should have dispatched doctors and medicines to Kashmir Valley in the wake of large scale violence which left 24 dead and over 350 injured, CPI(M) MLA Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami said today.
"The Prime Minister's appeal for peace to the people of Jammu and Kashmir after his return from abroad is welcome but instead of sending more troops, it would have been appropriate to dispatch doctors and medicines to treat the victims of brute violence," the Kulgam MLA said in a statement here.
He said Kashmiris were faced with a big human tragedy and "what is required is humane approach and concrete measures from authorities to stop unwarranted use of brutal force against unarmed protesters".
Tarigami said Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's assurance to conduct inquiry cannot heal the wounds of the victims.
"The minimum she is expected to do is stop the use of pellet guns, which has made a number of victims virtually blind," he said.
The CPI(M) leader said the Chief Minister must ensure adequate supply of medicines to the hospitals for the treatment of the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after chairing a high-level meeting on the situation in the Valley, appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain calm.
Violent protests triggered by the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani have claimed 24 lives in the Valley.
More than 350 persons, including over 115 security forces personnel, have been injured in the clashes.
CPI(M) to raise Kashmir issue in Parliament
CPI(M) today said that it will raise the Kashmir situation in both houses of Parliament in the upcoming monsoon session.
The party will also demand a short duration discussion on the volatile situation in the Kashmir valley which is in the grip of unrest following killing of a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in an encounter last week, party sources said.
The party has already asked the Centre to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the Kashmir situation.
Besides, it has also said that "both central and state governments, in which the BJP is a coalition partner, must immediately initiate the political process of dialogue with all political forces and groups to end this growing strife in the state and restore peace and normalcy."
"While the activities of the extremist groups need to be checked to maintain law and order and civilian rule, it cannot be an excuse for such use of force against stone-throwing protesters," it has said in a statement.
Violent clashes between security forces and protestors over the militant's killing have so far left 24 dead in the valley. The party also said "the brutal force used against protestors by the police and the armed forces that resulted in these unfortunate killings is condemnable."
(With PTI inputs)
