Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 8: The killings of two teachers of minority community in Sangam area of Srinagar was widely condemned by all political and social organizations in Jammu and Kashmir while protests were also held in different parts of Jammu region against the civilian killings, demanding the Central Government as well as J&K administration to take stern action against the anti-national forces and take effective steps to safeguard the lives of the citizens.
Thousands of people took part in a rally, held under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Forum (JKPF), to protest against the killings and demanded action against terrorists. Raising anti-Pakistan slogans, protesters blocked traffic on the main Tawi Bridge and congregated under the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last King of J&K.
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“We are holding protests to express our anger over the selective and systematic killing of minorities (Sikhs and Hindus) in Kashmir during the past few days. The terrorists of TRF (The Resistance Front) selectively targeted two teachers belonging to minority communities and shot them dead,” JKPF member Rajiv Pandita told reporters.
On the call of the J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu, the lawyers abstained today from working in the High Court and Subordinate Courts in Jammu to protest the selective civilian killings. The lawyers in large number took out a procession in the court premises raising slogans against Pakistan and the anti-national forces responsible for the killings of innocent citizens of India. The protest was led by the president of the Bar, M K Bhardwaj.
The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries also took out a protest march and condemned the spate in killings. Led by its president, Arun Gupta, hundreds of businessmen, traders and industrialists raised anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded immediate security to minorities in the Valley. Gupta said that by targeting innocent minorities and non-locals, terrorists are trying to instill a sense of fear among them. He said killing of civilians was a matter of concern and urged the Centre to take a serious note of it.
A meeting of the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) held today at the residence of Dr Farooq Abdullah, unreservedly condemned the recent killings of innocent people in the Valley. The meeting attended by Mehbooba Mufti, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami and Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi observed that these killings have created a climate of fear that has not been seen in Kashmir since the early 90’s. The current situation prevailing in J&K is the result of the failure of the policies of the Government that have brought J&K to this point, they added.
Senior JK Congress leaders including Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, Ravinder Sharma, Manmohan Singh today attended the last rites of Deepak Chand, one of the teachers shot dead by terrorists, in Jammu. They described the series of selective killings by the terrorists as a dangerous situation and total failure of the Central Government and J&K administration to contain militancy and ensure the protection of the minorities and employees in Kashmir valley. Meanwhile AICC Incharge J&K affairs Rajni Patil (MP) today arrived in Srinagar to offer condolences and express solidarity with the families of the killed civilians.
The recent killing spree in the Valley is testimony to fact that Modi Government has badly failed to provide security to common people and its tall claims on peace and normalcy in Kashmir are nothing but big lies. This was said by PDP spokespersons Anil Sethi and Mohit Bhan during a presser held at its party headquarters in Jammu. They condemned the killing of the civilians and justified the party president Mehbooba Mufti’s demand for dialogue with Pakistan to negotiate lasting peace in the subcontinent.
Condemning the civilian killings in Valley, former Union Minister Prof Saifuddin Soz said these killings have spread a wave of gloom and deep sadness in Kashmir and elsewhere. These deaths are shocking and heart rendering and have left the bereaved families utterly devastated. He appealed the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to take extraordinary measures for the safety of common citizens.
Rais Khan Pathan, Member Central Waqf Council and Chairman Planning & Finance, Ministry of Minority Affairs, while addressing a press conference at Jammu said that it is really a misfortune to see the continuous attacks on the innocent civilians by the terrorists in Kashmir and the act is beyond words of condemnation. He said that these acts speak of the nefarious designs to derail the ongoing peace and development in Kashmir.
District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu, in a press conference organized today, strongly condemned the killings of minorities in Kashmir and demanded adequate security to for them. DGPC president Jagjit Singh along with other DGPC members condoled the death of innocent civilians asked the administration to apprehend the culprits, so that conspiracy and motive behind such targeted innocent killings is also uncovered.
Strongly condemning the killing of a civilian at a check post in Monghal area of Anantnag last night, CPI(M) Secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik has asked the authorities to probe the incident thoroughly to fix the responsibility. Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, he demanded compensation to the victim’s family.
Condemning the recent killings, Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said the whole society across J&K is in total shock because of the spate of civilian killings and we cannot afford to contribute in deteriorating this situation any further. He appealed all the communities, especially the minority communities, to maintain communal harmony so that the real culprits are taken to task.
Jammu and Kashmir National Panther party (JKNPP) activists, led by their chairman Harsh Dev Singh, staged a demonstration in Jammu, and condemned the violence and the Government for failing to prevent it from happening. The protesters raised anti-BJP slogans and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
DDC Chairman Jammu Bharat Bhushan said that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir and other states who have lost their lives in cowardice acts of terror mongers working on the directions of their Pakistan mentors will not go in vain as Modi Government will ensure that those behind these horrendous acts face the law very soon.
Panther Party general secretary Yashpal Kundal expressed deep sorrow over the continuous targeting of minorities in Srinagar. Kundal hit out at the Central Government, stating that the Government is using Kashmir for its electoral interests. Kundal said he does not have enough words to condemn this incident.
Former legislator Ashok Sharma expressed serious concern over the incidents of killing, thereby rise in the militant activities and spread of hatred in J&K by the vested interest particularly across the border and demanded that stern action against those responsible for the targeted killings be taken.
Work remained suspended in all the courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction including Revenue courts in Kathua district against the targeted killings in Kashmir. Condemnded the killings, President of District Bar Association Kathua Advocate Ajat Shatru Sharma urged both the Government of India as well as LG administration to take strong action against all those masterminded behind these killings including accomplice and their sympathizers.
NCP Youth Wing National joint secretary and spokesperson Rishi Kilam while condemning the brutal innocent killings in Valley, expressed solidarity and sympathy with the grief stricken families. “Democracy gives us the right of liberty and expression. As such it is inhuman to kill innocent persons,” he added.
J&K unit president of JDS Mastnath Yogi condemned the killing of M L Bindroo and two teachers in Srinagar and asked the Government to deal militancy with strong hand as these selective killings have created fear among minorities in Kashmir. He also demanded compensation for the kin of the deceased civilians.
BJP leader Dr Parneesh Mahajan said that the people especially minorities in Valley should not panic and leave Kashmir after the recent spate of target killings by the terrorists as that would only boost the morale of terrorists and their mentor Pakistan. He asserted that BJP Government stands fully committed to bring normalcy in Kashmir.
Aam Aadmi Party took out a peaceful candle march tonight from Shahidi Chowk to Bharat Mata Chowk, in Jammu. Vice-president Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary constituency Rajesh Gupta while condemning the civilians killings, urged the LG to give one crore compensation to the each family of those killed by militants. These civilian killings are despicable acts of Islamic fundamentalists to keep Kashmir isolated from the mainstream, he added.
Former Minister Babu Singh condemned the civilian killings in strongest terms and demanded a judicial probe into them to expose and punish the real culprits. He termed killings of innocent people as brutal, barbarous and inhuman acts.
Shriomani Akali Dal (SAD) while condemning the attacks on minorities warned the Union/J&K Government to beef up the security to prevent another bout of migration from the Valley. SAD president further expressed shock over the manner the killings were carried out by separating the minority communities.
Expressing concern over gruesome and cold-blooded murder of two innocent minority teachers in Kashmir, Baldev Singh Raina, chairman, United Kashmiri Sikhs Progressive Forum extended his solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to departed souls.
Led by its president Romesh Chander Gupta, Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha condemned the daily basis targeted killings in the Valley and urged the Government to adopt a clear-cut policy so that the Valley is freed of terrorism and a sense of security is induced among the general public.
Jammu University Teachers Association (JUTA) strongly condemned the barbaric act of the militants of killing two teachers in the Kashmir valley. JUTA president Prof Pankaj K Srivastava said the killings of teachers will cast a doom for any society and such an act speaks volumes about the insensitivity of the perpetrators. He urged the UT Administration to bring the perpetrators to books while demanding a strict action against them.
A deputation of All Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Teachers Federation (AJKLTF) led by Rattan Sharma and Neeraj Sharma today met Divisional Commissioner Jammu and submitted a memorandum to him, enlisting various demands, including rupees one crore compensation to two martyred teachers killed by terrorists, job to their kins, and full security to all education institutions and the teachers’ community particularly minorities in JK UT.
All J&K Plus Two Lecturers’ Forum condemned the gruesome killing of a Principal and Teacher in Kashmir and expressed shock and dismay over the most unpardonable act of terrorism. Forum president Deepak Sharma appealed Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K LG Manoj Sinha to act tough on militants and provide security to most vulnerable and soft target teachers among others in Kashmir.
The Central Working Committee (CWC) Jammu of All J&K +2 PSC Lecturers Association Jammu condemns the killings of innocent teachers and termed it inhumane and barbaric act. Soon after the assassination of a Principal and a teacher in the terrorist attack in Kashmir a strong reaction was expressed by the community. Manjeet Chib, the Convener of the CWC, strongly expressed grief and shock over the selective and targeted killings of civilians in the Valley.
Central Working Committee (CWC) Jammu of All J&K Plus 2 PSC Lecturers’ Association said that the sole purpose of such acts was to disrupt the peace in the valley and hinder the pace of the progress in J&K UT. The CWC members appealed the authorities to ensure safety and security to the entire teaching fraternity in the Valley.
To pay homage to the two teachers killed by the terrorists in Kashmir, Jammu Kashmir Teachers’ Forum led by its chairman Ganesh Khajuria took out a candle march near Maharaja Hari Singh statue near Press Club, Jammu. Similar candle marches were held throughout J&K including Jourian, Akhnoor, RS Pura, Bishnah, Arnia, Vijaypur, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Nowshera, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and Billawar areas.
Against the barbaric act of killing of innocent teachers in Kashmir, the Sikh community led by Gurudwara Prabandhik Committee Kathua held protest demonstration at Mukhreeje Chowk, Kathua. A number of Sikh community people participated in the protest demanded the safety and security of minority community in Kashmir.
Bharatiya Jana Yuva Morcha (BJYM) J&K spokesperson Chetan Wanchoo said that these killings reflect a total failure of the administration in safeguarding the life and properties of the people belonging to minority communities. He demanded severe punishment for the enemies of peace.
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Jammu Mahanagar staged a strong protest at Press Club Jammu against civilian killings in Kashmir and burnt the effigy of terrorism. They demanded strict action against the culprit and requested the Government to provide security to minorities.
A protest demonstration against civilian killings was also organized by senior Congress leader Sumeet Magotra in Samba district. Protestors gathered at Dabbar Chowk and showed their resentment by putting black strips on their hand and raising slogans against the BJP Government for its failure to provide security to minority people residing in Kashmir region.
Kashmiri Hindu Sabha, Pune expressed deep shock in the selective killing of Hindus in the Valley. This is extremely unfortunate and disheartening to witness the religious cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus that is continuing even after 30 years of mass migration from the valley, the Sabha said urged the Government of India to take strong measures to stop the religious cleansing of Hindus in the Kashmir Valley.
Expressing profound grief over the recent barbaric killings of two teachers and other minorities in Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir Nationalist People’s Front (JKNPF) urged people to come forth to protest and show solidarity against these shameful acts. JKNPF reiterated its efforts to bridge the gap between the communities.
Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) unequivocally condemned the spate of killings in Kashmir. The dastardly killings of the minorities of Kashmir have sent shock waves across all the civilized segments of the society, PNBMT said and demanded stern action those responsible for these unpardonable acts.
The Batwal Youth Development Committee Jammu expressed sadness over the gruesome killing of teachers in Kashmir, saying the series of killings are another horrid display of cruelty and barbarism and inadvertently complicate the return of peace in the region. The Batwals urged the LG to provide police protection in such institutions where Hindu teachers have been posted.
Kashmir Pandit leader Vinod Pandita has expressed great shock and grief on the dastardly selective and targetted attack of militants on the innocent minority people working or living in Kashmir. He appealed LG Manoj Sinha to bust this deep root conspiracy that has been hatched by anti-National elements just to disrupt and detract the return and rehabilitation move of Kashmiri Pandits back to valley.
All staff members and students of Government Model Higher Secondary School Batote observed two minutes silence to pay homage to Principal Satinder Kour and Deepak Chand (teacher) who were brutally killed in premises of HSS Sangam (Eidgah, Srinagar) yesterday.
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