Pampore (Kashmir): Thousands of people on December 21 bid a tearful farewell to
slain People's Democratic Party (PDP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Abdul
Aziz Mir at his native village of Konibal as the ruling party dismissed the
suggestion that the killing meant a failure to its healing touch programme.
"It (the killing of Mir) does not mean that the healing touch programme has
failed... If we want to put out a fire, there is a chance that we may burn our
fingers," PDP vice-president Mehbooba Mufti, who had come here to visit the bereaved
family, told reporters.
Asked if the militants had spurned the offer of peace, she said the party would
continue with its policy of persuasion for a meaningful dialogue.
Several top leaders of the state including Housing and Urban Development Minister
Ghulam Hassan Mir and Rural Development Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and MLAs
attended the funeral of Mir, which was delayed by more than 24 hours as the family
was awaiting the return of his daughter and son-in-law from Delhi.
Defending the party MLAs' policy of interacting with the crowds at public places,
the Urban Development Minister denied that there was a security lapse in Mir's
killing.
"(Former Prime Ministers) Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were killed despite heavy
security. We are on a mission to nurse the wounds of the common man and there are
chances of attacks but we will continue," he said.
PTI
