BJP, Cong, CPI (M), others condemn killings in Kashmir

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 30: Various political and social organizations have condemned the killings of truck drivers and six labourers from outside the state in Kashmir valley by some unknown gunmen.
Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly condemned the brutal and cowardly killing of five unarmed non-Kashmiri Muslim labourers from Bengal.
“ The party prays for the departed souls and expresses solidarity with their family members who had sent their wards/spouses far away from their native places to earn livelihood for their families. Who will be responsible to feed them now? It is the worst form of violation of human rights which will be ignored by the liberals and biased western media,” party state spokesperson Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta told reporters.
He further said that the killings apart from being barbaric, are also condemnable for being against the spirit of Kashmiriyat. There have been a spurt of killings in the last two weeks. What is common among these killings is the targeting of non-Kashmiri Muslims. There seems to be a sinister design and underlying message behind the dastardly acts, he added.
“While anti-national and inimical forces are hell bent to ruin the major sources of Kashmiri economy like tourism and horticulture, such gruesome acts are also meant to create scare among the prospective investors in the Valley to give a boost to its economy, generate employment and build modern infrastructure for its holistic development,” rued Brig Gupta.
“They are not the well-wishers of Kashmiris but want them to remain poverty stricken so that they are left with no option but to toe the line of the terrorists and succumb to their diktats,” he added.
“Pakistan has openly admitted that its aim behind introducing religious militancy in Kashmir was to alienate the Kashmiris from India, its existential enemy. That is why it is trying all the tricks up its sleeves to ensure that normalcy doesn’t return to Kashmir and instead there is revolt and bloodbath on the streets. But Modi Govt determined to defeat Pakistan’s nefarious designs and usher Kashmir towards an era of peace, prosperity and development,” Brig Gupta asserted.
JKPCC has also strongly condemned the killing of six labourers from West Bengal in Kitrusu village of Kulgam district in South Kashmir last evening and termed it as a cowardly act of terrorists.
Meanwhile party has also expressed shock over the casualty of one civilian and injuries to some civilians in Kupwara area of Kashmir due to Pakistan shelling today.
In a statement PCC chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma has strongly condemned the killings of six labourers in Kulgam and described it as cowardly act on the part of killers. The poor laborers who had come all along from West Bengal for their livelihood have become the victim of senseless and cowardly act of terrorists. The incident is very shocking and the entire rank and file of the party expressed its deep sympathies with the families of the victims and pray for peace to the departed souls and early recovery of injured.
He also expressed grave concern over the rising of incidents of militant attacks, who somehow succeeded in targeting the innocent people despite heavy presence of security forces in the highest degree of alertness at all levels. The lives and property of innocent people have to be protected at all costs, he said while lauding the commendable services of army and security persons at the cost of their lives.
Communist Party of India (M) Regional Committee Jammu has also strongly condemned the killings of six labourers and a truck driver from Katra area of district Reasi in Kashmir.
Regional secretary of the party, Sham Parsad Kesar in a press statement said that people of the state are shocked over the senseless killings. Such incidents of violence are bound to lead nowhere. Such barbaric acts are highly condemnable. He demanded immediate inquiry in to the incidents and adequate compensation for the victims’ families.
National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) Subash Shastri strongly condemned the terrorists attack at village Kitrusu of Kulgam district of South Kashmir in which six labourers were gunned down.
In a statement Shastri that the working class of the whole country has received a rude shock by this inhuman act. He demanded that the Govt should provide all necessary help to the unfortunate families of the deceased persons so that they are able to start afresh lives without their sole bread earners. He also demanded adequate protection all the persons connected with apple trade.