Jammu and Kashmir units of the Congress and CPI(M) today condemned the killing of two persons in security forces' action against stone-pelting protesters in Budgam district and asked them to exercise restraint while dealing with demonstrators.
Security forces engaged in an encounter with militants in Durbugh area of Chadoora early today. As they exchanged fire with militants, a large number of protestors started hurling stones at the law enforcing agencies.
Two youths were killed and 19 people were injured in the security forces' action against the protestors, police said.
"We condemn this unfortunate incident and urge the forces to exercise restrain while dealing with protestors," Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) spokesperson Farooq Andrabi said in a statement here.
Andrabi said the killing of civilians "will certainly vitiate atmosphere of peace in the Valley. The security forces should not remain dependent on bullets only but use other simple methods to quell protests".
He appealed to people to maintain calm and stay away from encounter sites.
"The confrontation with security forces will disturb the atmosphere of peace which is not going to help anyone," he said.
Expressing shock and grief over the killing of two youths, senior CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said such incidents could be avoided if security forces exercise "maximum restraint".
"The law enforcing agencies are refusing to draw lessons from previous such experiences," he said and warned that "such killings are bound to inflame the situation".
He demanded an immediate end to "this recklessness".
"Unfortunately, no distinction is being made between civilians and militants," he said.
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