This Article is From Feb 09, 2013

Disappointed with the decision to hang Afzal Guru, says Mehbooba Mufti's PDP

Disappointed with the decision to hang Afzal Guru, says Mehbooba Mufti's PDP
Srinagar: Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expressed disappointment over the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and appealed to the people of Kashmir to exercise restraint.

"PDP is disappointed at the hanging of Afzal Guru. We had urged that political sensitivities should be taken into considering while taking a decision on his clemency plea," PDP spokesman Nayeem Akhtar said.

"We appeal to the people of Kashmir to exercise restrain and not allow repeat of 2010 situation when more than 100 youth were killed," he said.

In a guarded response to the hanging of Afzal Guru, Mr Akhtar said PDP had appealed to President Pranab Mukherjee to commute the death sentence into a life term.

"We have been greatly disappointed and we understand that besides the legal procedure, there are other aspects of state governance for which the Constitution of India provides for clemency for the death convicts.

"Considering the sensitivities and possible fallout, we had requested that the death penalty of Guru should be commuted to life sentence," he said.

Mr Akhtar said the Centre should return the body of Guru to his family for a proper burial and last rites.

The PDP spokesman said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah cannot wash off his hands from the responsibility of Guru's hanging.

"We don't agree with the statement of the Chief Minister that state government had no role in the hanging. His party is part of the UPA and the responsibility of such decisions is collective, "he added.


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