Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 3: The killing of Bank Manager of EDB at Kulgam and a labourer in Budgam district of Kashmir Valley by terrorists was strongly condemned by people from all walks of life.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu while strongly condemning the killing of Bank Manager from Rajasthan in Kulgam district and a poor labourer said the situation in Kashmir has turned grim with terrorists attacking soft targets at their will. The Chamber, which held a meeting here , today under the chairmanship of its president, Arun Gupta to take the stock of the situation said three persons belonging to a particular community were killed by terrorists in Valley during two days. The Chamber demanded that the Government should brace up the security grid to ensure that no civilian especially that from minority community remains at risk.
Ellaquai Dehati Bank employees and management held a condolence meeting at area office Jammu to mourn the killing of their colleague Vijay Kumar, Branch Manager Arreh, Kulgam yesterday. Two minutes silence was observed in memory of departed soul.
The members said that the staff of Jammu is shell shocked and devastated at this precious loss of a budding officer who was killed in a gruesome terrorist attack in his cabin, while performing his duties. The newlywed Vijay Kumar hailing from Rajasthan had joined the Bank three years back and was posted at this branch since May 30 this year.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) has also strongly condemned the recent killing of civilians and expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved families. Terming the bloodshed as unacceptable in any society and against humanity, KCCI spokesman said it goes against the basic spirit and concept of Kashmiriyat.
“The Office bearers of Kashmir’s largest trade body are deeply shocked and distressed at the killing spree over the past few weeks. This according to the Chamber has dented the image of Kashmir again and is against cultural ethos”, the spokesman said.
As the fear has engulfed en mass, the spokesman said that Chamber withstands by innocents in this hour of grief, fear and insecurity. “ Whoever kills an innocent life is as if, he has killed all humanity” the spokesperson added.
All India Bank Officers Confederation (AIBOC), has expressed its grief over the killing of Bank Manager in Kashmir yesterday. The Confederation conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. AIBOC expressed its deep concern and is greatly worried for the security, safety and wellbeing of hundreds of bank employees belonging to the targeted communities and posted in the far flung areas / branches in Kashmir Valley outside Srinagar city.
It said the AIBOC has taken up the issue with management number of times during last one year but unfortunately the management paid no heed to its requests till date. With a sudden and sharp escalation in such targeted killings over the last one week, our fears and concerns for the safety and security of bank employees have grown manifold, it added.
Displaced Kashmiri Sikh Conference president, Harmohinder Singh has strongly condemned the selective killings by terrorists in Kashmir Valley. Singh said that two Government employees were killed in two days followed by killing of labourer. The Government employees were killed in their office while on duty which indicates that some people in the departments are clandestinely hobnobbing with terrorists who are hell bent upon creating mayhem. These persons be identified and booked under law of the land, he added.
Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (POJKLF) has also strongly condemned targeted killings of minorities in the Valley by terrorists. The Front urged the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah to take strong action against terrorists and ensure effective measures to stop innocent killings for safety of common man and minorities in Kashmir. Pritam Lal Sharma convener of the Front while condemning the killing of minorities in Valley said situation is grim in Kashmir and turned precarious for non Muslims working or living there.
District Bar Association Kathua today suspended its work in District Session Court , Subordinate courts including Revenue courts and office of Registrar etc in protest against the selective killings in Kashmir.
The call for strike was given by Executive Committee of the District Bar Association, Kathua led by Bar president, Ajat Shatru Sharma against the targeted killing of minorities in Kashmir. The Bar strongly condemned the killing of minorities non locals and peace loving Muslims by terrorists in Kashmir and termed these acts as cowardice.
Shiv Sena J&K Unit held a strong protest against the BJP led Central Government for its failure to secure the lives of innocent people working in the Kashmir region.
Led by Munish Shani, president Shiv Sena the party activists assembled in front of party office here and raised slogans against the Central Government. Strongly criticising BJP Government at Centre and J&K Government, Munish Sahni said it is complete failure of those who were earlier boasting of containing terrorism.
Sharika Peeth Sanstha Subash Nagar president M K Jalalai has also strongly condemned selective killings of Hindus in Valley by terrorists. In a statement Jalali said it is unfortunate that the civil society of Kashmir has become a silent spectator to such killings which can have serious repercussions and has brought shame to Kashmir and those boasting of Kashmiriyat.