Mainstream politicians in Jammu and Kashmir and separatists came together to condemn the brutal killing of 22 Hindus in Doda district on Monday and demanded a probe into the incident.
Former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and President of National Conference Omar Abdullah, in a joint statement, demanded an immediate probe into the bloodshed and also asked Government to provide relief to the bereaved families.
They said the people of the state are being punished for the sins not committed by them.
Strongly condemning the massacre, former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said terrorists should understand the ground realities and people's yearning for resolution of issues through dialogue process.
"We strongly condemn the killing of our Hindu brethren in Doda and Udhampur districts. These acts, carried out by elements inimical to peace whenever there is a positive change in the situation, are aimed at derailing the peace process and harming the communal harmony in the state," Sayeed said.
State Secretary of CPI(M) MY Tarigami also condemned the killings in Doda and Udhampur saying such dastardly and inhuman acts can never be justified.
{{/usCountry}}State Secretary of CPI(M) MY Tarigami also condemned the killings in Doda and Udhampur saying such dastardly and inhuman acts can never be justified.
{{/usCountry}}In separate statements both factions of Hurriyat Conference, senior separatist leader Shabir Ahmed Shah condemned the killing.
Chairman of moderate Hurriyat Mirwaiz Umer Farooq sought impartial probe saying such incidents take place when some important developments related to resolution of Kashmir issue are in the offing.
"This is inhuman act. This is open terrorism and is against the Islamic principles to kill armless people," Hardline Hurriyat Chairman Sayed Ali Shah Geelani and Shah said and also demanded probe by a commission.
"Whoever has killed innocent persons has massacred the humanity," they said adding "we demand an impartial and credible inquiry by a commission into such inhuman acts.
Geelani and shah appealed to people to maintain communal harmony and foil nefarious designs of those bent upon to flare up communal trouble in the state.