Jammu: The government on Wednesday was left red faced after opposition as well as ruling party members censured it over the civilian killings by security forces and ‘marginalization’ of youth compelling them to pick up guns.

The members held the coalition government responsible for reviving the culture of arrest, cordons and detentions that was witnessed in the 90’s when militancy was at its peak.

Speaking during the discussion on motion of thanks on the governor’s address to the joint session of the house on Tuesday, PDP leader and MLA Shopian Muhammad Yousuf Bhat said government should seriously think about youth of Kashmir who are once again getting involved in subversive activities.

“Blame game cannot be a solution to this issue but the members who have been given the mandate to represent youth should take responsibility to convince youth too shun the path of violence. Government has a major role play in it,” Bhat said.

Taking a dig at opposition members for creating ruckus in the House by holding photographs of pellet blinded girl-Insha he said, “Insha is from my constituency and rehabilitated by the present government but wasn’t the NC-Congress government responsible for killing of Asiya and Neelofer who were also from my constituency. Instead of giving any healing touch the then government made their relatives accused who are sent to jail,” the MLA said.

He said people creating disruptions in House were not doing good for welfare of their people.

“We should think of collective leadership as Kashmir issue won’t be resolved through stones or guns but formal talks with all stakeholders. We should not negate that people put their lives at risk to cast their votes to choose their leaders,” he said.

MLA Kupwara Bashir Ahmad Dar blamed the government for the mess. The government handed over all the control to the police by thinking that a policeman can help resolving all issues. Basically, it is the politicians who can play a better role in resolving issue. Police carry guns and pellets on their shoulders and can’t bring peace in the state,” he said.

The MLA said the government should take along its opposition members outside the House during distribution of funds under various schemes to execute developmental works.

“Opposition won’t have any grievance if government will take them on board while dealing with governance issues. You (government) get funds under various schemes which are not properly distributed. You should ensure that funds are given to opposition members as well,” he said.

MLA Khansahab Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen Shah while speaking during the discussion on motion of thanks on Vohra’s address said government seems to be directionless in handling the situation in the state, particularly Kashmir. He castigated the coalition government for ‘regenerating’ the 90’s like situation in Kashmir.

“The government miserably failed to control Human Rights violations and bloodshed but it instead revived the culture of CASO, arrests and detention of youth in police stations. The coalition government should go deep and think of measures to control it,” he said.

Pitching for fruitful talks with all stakeholders to resolve Kashmir issue he said construction of roads, setting up colleges, schools and making ‘backdoor appointments’ can go side by side besides taking initiatives to resolve the basic issue of Kashmir. “If Kashmir is not an issue then why Home minister Rajnath singh made statements in 2015, 2016 and 2017 for talks with all stakeholders. The government of India appointed interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma but it seems he has no direction about to whom he has to meet and talk,” he said.

“Fruitful talks will restore peace and tranquility in Kashmir,” Hakim Yaseen said.

He castigated the government over prolonged house detention of Chairman Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelaani. “When Mehboooba ji was in opposition she would make hue and cry in House over house detention of Geelani Sahab but now she has kept him confined to his house. Her government doesn’t allow Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid. Is this governance,” asked Hakim Yaseen.

He cautioned the government to wake up saying that situation in Kashmir has taken a U-turn.

“Your forces killed a woman who was feeding her baby inside her home. Civilians are killed by bullets coming from any side,” he said, adding that Kashmiri youth was never suicidal “But now they are carrying fidayeen attack which is a major challenge for the government.”

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