December 26, Srinagar: Senior leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and well-known Gujjar politician Mian Altaf Ahmed was denied permission to visit Poonch and Rajouri districts on Tuesday in order to offer condolences to the families of three civilians who lost their lives in the wake of the Poonch incident a few days before.
Mian Altaf said he has asked permission from the authorities to go to Poonch, Rajouri district, in order to examine the situation and speak with the relatives of the victims, according to a statement issued from the party headquarters in Nawa-e-Subha. But authorization for the visit was turned down by the authorities.
“I thought it was my duty to come to the region, meet the families, and convey my sorrow and condolences to the families of the three individuals who passed away. Regretfully, I was not permitted to travel there by the authorities,” he remarked.
The people of Rajouri and Poonch, he said, wanted him to come see them. According to him, the J&K government has promised the relatives of the dead employment and compensation. He called on the Lieutenant Governor government to conduct an open and prompt investigation into the event and to provide compensation to the relatives of the killed people, saying, “However, I demand that a compensation amount of Rs 1 crore be given to them.”
