Indian party leader says civilians being treated like militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir
NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- India's main opposition Congress party Monday questioned the government's approach in dealing with an ongoing unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir, saying "should civilians be treated in the same manner as militants?"
The question was raised by Congress party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad while speaking in the upper house of the parliament.
"Please do not push the Kashmiris against the wall by treating civilians like militants," Azad told the lawmakers. "Please do not use disproportionate force against the residents of the valley."
The 20-day "monsoon session" of the parliament began Monday in New Delhi. Azad's remarks came after government had agreed to the opposition's demand to discuss the unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani earlier this month.
The Congress party leader alleged that bullets and pellet guns had been used on children, old men and women in India-controlled Kashmir.
"Should locals be treated the same way we treat militants. Should the same bullets that are used on militants be used on innocent people of the state?" Azad asked.
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China calls for proper settlement of Kashmir clashes
BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday called for proper settlement of clashes in Indian-controlled Kashmir, which have left more than 40 people dead.
Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a press release that the Chinese side is concerned about the deaths and casualties caused by the incident.
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