Jammu and Kashmir: Stone-Pelting in Shopian Spark Uproar, Political Leaders, Separatists Condemn Incident
The incident comes a day after all the shops and business establishments were closed in Kashmir Valley, on a call by the separatists to protest against the killing of a civilian in Pulwama district.
Shopian, May 3: The attack on a school bus in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kanipora Village of Shopian district on Wednesday sparked an uproar in Kashmir. Separatists and various political leaders condemned the incident. As per reports, the bus was taking about 32 school kids of Rainbow International School from a small village of Keller to Shopian town.
The incident comes a day after all the shops and business establishments were closed in Kashmir Valley, on a call by the separatists to protest against the killing of a civilian in Pulwama district.
A student was injured when stone-pelters targeted a school bus. The injured minor was rushed to a local hospital following the incident. The father of the minor told ANI, “My son has been injured in stone pelting and this is against humanity. This (stone-pelting) could have been anyone’s child. They (children) are so innocent and this thing (stone-pelting incident) is very bad. Such incidents should not happen to children.”
According to a report by ANI, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shopian, Shailendra Kumar informed that few miscreants gheraoed the school bus and hurled stones at it. “One student was injured. The area has been sanitised. A search for stone pelters is underway and they will be arrested soon”, he said.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed shock and anger over the stone-pelting incident. She said that perpetrators will be brought to justice: “Shocked & angered to hear of the attack on a school bus in Shopian. The perpetrators of this senseless & cowardly act will be brought to justice.” Meanwhile, Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack. “How does pelting stones on school children or tourist buses help advance the agenda of these stone pelters? These attacks deserve our unequivocal condemnation & this tweet is mine.”
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad called the attack shocking and disturbing "Such behaviour calls for condemnation from all. The government will maintain law and order take strict action. We will leave no stone unturned to protect students who want to pursue education," the BJP leader said in Delhi. Meanwhile, Hurriyat Leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani expressed sadness and blamed "some unscrupulous elements" for the attack. "Our strength lies in discipline. We should keep strict vigil over those involved in these incidents", he said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2018 11:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).