Thaindian News

Jammu, Feb 23 (IANS) Faced with criticism for patronising stone-pelters, Jammu and Kashmir’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday walked out of the state assembly demanding action against those responsible for the killing of an 11-day-old infant.
PDP legislators alleged that the government was not serious about tracing the killers of the baby, Irfan.

The baby was killed in his mother’s lap in Kashmir’s Baramullah town Monday when stone-pelters targeted the vehicle in which the family was travelling.

PDP president and legislature party leader Mehbooba Mufti alleged that there was “nothing like a government in Jammu and Kashmir”.

The government, instead of addressing the problem or dealing with the issue of stone pelters, had started blaming the opposition, she told reporters after the walkout in the assembly.

“It is for the government to explain as to how the stone pelters in two vehicles came and targeted the vehicle of the family who lost an 11-day-old baby,” she said demanding action.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday charged the stone throwers with killing the baby and promised stern action against them.

He asked the police to identify the culprits and charge them.

Abdullah claimed that there was a well-knit network behind the stone-pelting protesters, adding that a business house was also involved.

The PDP, however, felt that the government was lax in its approach. It has also denounced a case being registered against a 13-year-old, who was killed when he was hit on the head by a teargas shell. The police later said the boy was responsible for causing trouble.