Omar lashes out at stone throwers, their ‘patrons’

JAMMU - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday night lashed out at stone-pelting demonstrators and “their patrons”, blaming them for the death of a 10-day-old infant in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district earlier during the day.

Talking to media persons here, Omar said he wanted to know from those supporting the stone throwers what punishment should be awarded to the killers of the infant.

“I will take strong action against the killers of the baby,” he said, vowing that he would not allow 700 stone-throwers to hold hostage the entire population of the state.

Police said a taxi with Irfan and his mother coming to Baramulla hospital from Dangiwachi area of the district was stopped by protesters at Chakla, 5 km from Baramulla town.

“The mother was carrying the baby to Baramulla district hospital for treatment when a mob of stone-pelting protesters attacked the vehicle. The mother and other occupants pleaded with the protesters that they should be allowed to carry the baby to the hospital, but in vain,” a senior police officer said in Srinagar.

Another son of the woman suffered injuries during the stone pelting.

Abdullah claimed that there was a well-knit network behind the stone-pelting protesters. “A business house is also involved, and we are going to bring everything before the public,” he said.

He said that the people have the right to safety and security and they cannot be left to the mercy of the stone-throwers.