Condemning the death of a 22-year-old tourist whose vehicle was targeted by stone-pelters, CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami today said such "unfortunate" incidents damage the interests of the people of the state.
R Thirumani, a resident of Chennai, and his family were returning from Gulmarg yesterday, when their vehicle was caught in stone pelting near Magam area of Budgam.
A stone hit the young man on his right temple and he was rushed to the Soura Institute of Medical Sciences where he died.
"We express serious concern over the death of a 22-year-old tourist from Chennai due to stone-pelting in Budgam. Such unfortunate and condemnable incidents send a wrong message which ultimately damages the interests of the people of the state," Tarigami said.
Such acts only serve the interests of those who want to undermine and ignore the democratic aspiration of Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
The Kulgam MLA said that at a time when the people of Kashmir are facing tough times, what is required is utmost restraint and wisdom to garner more support from the people and civil society of the country so as to put pressure on the authorities to listen to the legitimate voices of the people of Kashmir.