Speaking exclusively to India Today, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone said the common Kashmiri is scared “from all sides” today.
Sajad Lone (Photo: File)
In 24 hours alone, two non-locals were killed in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Speaking on the recent spate of targeted killings in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone said that, at the moment, a common Kashmiri is scared “from all sides” including the state.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, he said, “A certain level of violence never left Kashmir it has always been there. Violence has to be countered operationally and psychologically. And psychologically, things have gone from bad to worse in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. Officials use an overtly muscular language here now. To fight terrorism, you need to encourage locals [to help]not scare them.”
‘NOT JUST NON-MUSLIMS’
Sajad Lone said that it is not just non-Muslims who are being killed in the Valley. “Not a day passes when a Kashmiri Muslim is not killed. We are as much at the receiving end. This is a very painful moment for us in Kashmir when civilians are being killed. We’re helpless,” he said.
He added that a vast majority of local Kashmiris are feeling the pain of those being targeted by terrorists in attacks. “I can tell you, my mother cried in the morning for what happened to that lady yesterday. I went to a wedding yesterday and everyone was talking about her. People are feeling the pain. They are scared,” he said.
‘BEST WAY TO DEFEAT IS’
According to Sajad Lone, the best way to defeat the attackers is by “not getting scared”.
“I know it’s very easy for me to say this as I have security, and not for those who are out there. But the best way to defeat [terrorists] is to not be scared. When my dad was killed, we were given ten days to leave. I had no security but I stayed back and I’m happy I did,” he said.