'Shoot to kill has become pass time for J&K govt'

Condemning the killing of another youth in Sopore of North Kashmir, Opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday said 'it seems shooting to kill has become a pathological pass time for the state government and its forces.'

"The state government has let loose a rein of terror and using bullets and guns without provocation. It has come up with excuses of self defense or protection of public property," PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said in a statement in Srinagar.

Expressing grief over the death of Rameez Ahmad Reshi, who succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, she said, "It seems shooting to kill has become a pathological pass time for the state government and its forces."

Police on Friday said Reshi was part of a mob which attacked the police post in Sopore and injured when security forces opened fire.

"Even though the stone pelting has effectively disappeared from the streets of Kashmir following the intervention of (Chairman of hardline Hurriyat) Syed Ali Shah Geelani, the trigger happy forces continue to shoot down unarmed youth," she said.

She claimed that during the past three days there has been no incident of stone pelting or attempt to destroy public property or any other violent act still three precious lives have been lost as a result of use of force by government.

She said earlier on Thursday Shabir Ahmad was killed in cold blood in Pulwama even as "the procession was completely peaceful and following in letter and spirit the advice of Geelani Shahab. Dozens of unarmed protesters were injured in that highly condemnable incident in which the people had shown utmost restraint."

Mehbooba alleged that the government was acting with a sense of vengeance against the people as is evident from breaking into houses by security forces, smashing household goods and beating up people.