Congress condemns death of student in clash between forces and stone-pelters in Kashmir

Srinagar: The Congress in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday termed as "unfortunate" the death of a student in a clash between security forces and a stone-pelting mob Shopian and appealed the people especially the youth to not take law in their hands and help restore peace in the valley.

The party also asked security forces to exercise restraint to ensure safety of civilians during anti-militancy operations.

Reacting to the death of 22-year-old Adil Farooq Magray in the clash that broke out last evening during a search and cordon operation in Shopian district, state Congress chief G A Mir said the situation in south Kashmir has become "extremely volatile" as both the state and the Centre have "miserably failed" to restore peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

He condemned the death of Magray and said "his killing could have been avoided had (security) forces exercised restraint".

"The loss of innocent people is highly painful, both state and centre should put an end to innocent killings," he added.

Mir, however appealed the people and the youth not to take law in their own hands and help restoring peace and end the cycle of violence in the valley.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a village of Shopian to flush out hiding militants but the operation was obstructed as locals took to streets and indulged in stone-pelting on the forces allowing the holed up militants to break the cordon and flee.