Kashmiris want peace, not fear: PDF President Hakeem Yaseen calls for collective action

• People united against violence, demands judicial probe into Kulgam Youth’s death

SRINAGAR: President of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, on Monday said that people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered immensely due to terrorism over the past three decades, and are now united in their resolve to end this cycle of violence and instability.

In a statement issued here, Yaseen said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are peace-loving, and they have paid a heavy price for the violence that has gripped the region for over 30 years. “The pain, fear, and loss that our people have endured is beyond words. We stand firmly with them and are committed to supporting every effort aimed at restoring lasting peace in the region,” he said.

Hakeem stressed the need for a united societal approach to curb terrorism, which he termed as a shared enemy of progress and humanity. “We must rise above political and ideological differences to collectively counter the forces that want to destabilize our region. We are with the people in this fight and are determined to take strong and effective steps to wipe out this menace from Jammu and Kashmir once and for all,” he said.

Referring to the recent killing of a youth in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, Yaseen demanded a judicial probe to establish the truth behind the incident. “The circumstances surrounding the death are unclear and suspicious. We demand a fair and transparent judicial investigation so that the family of the victim, and the public at large, get to know the truth. Accountability is crucial to building public trust,” he said.

Yaseen also urged the security agencies and the administration to exercise utmost caution and sensitivity while dealing with civilians and security-related operations. “Those in charge of law and order must be vigilant and ensure that innocent lives are not lost. Miscreants who seek to disturb peace and harmony should be identified, exposed, and dealt with sternly,” he said.

Expressing serious concern over the increasing incidents of killings by unidentified gunmen, Yaseen said the prevailing situation has instilled deep fear among the common people. “Every day we wake up to disturbing news of bodies being found young men and innocents being gunned down by unknown persons. This situation is not only alarming but heart-breaking. It reflects a deep-rooted problem that must be addressed immediately and comprehensively,” he said.

Hakeem added that such acts of violence are unacceptable and run counter to the collective aspirations of the people for peace and stability. “The silence of the graveyards in the morning is a painful reminder of how far we still have to go to achieve peace. We cannot allow miscreants and anti-social elements to succeed in their efforts to spread chaos,” he said. Hakeem said his party’s commitment to non-violence, justice, and the restoration of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.