Extremist forces can’t demoralize BJP: Shah
No place for such violence: Modi
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 5: Governor Satya Pal Malik today ordered an inquiry to be conducted by Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam into the political killings during last few months and called for identifying lapses on part of agencies on safety of the politicians as reports surfaced that security of BJP leader Gull Mohammad Mir, who was gunned down by the militants last night at Verinag in Anantnag, had been withdrawn in February this year.
Four BJP and RSS leaders including prominent BJP face in Kishtwar, Anil Parihar and his brother, Ajit Parihar, senior RSS functionary, Chanderkant Sharma besides Panch Abdul Majeed Dar in Kulgam and social activist Anjumand Majid Bhat of Baramulla have been killed by the militants during past about five months while National Conference activist Ismail Wani was seriously injured in Anantnag.
Meanwhile, top BJP leadership including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Dr Jitendra Singh have strongly condemned the killing of Gul Mohammad Mir, 57, who had unsuccessfully contested 2008 and 2014 Assembly elections from Dooru Assembly segment in South Kashmir on the BJP mandate.
An official handout issued by the Raj Bhavan today said the Governor has directed the Chief Secretary to get an inquiry conducted into the killings of political people belonging to various parties in Jammu and Kashmir during last few months. He has asked the Chief Secretary to identify lapses on part of security agencies regarding ensuring security of political people.
“From now onwards, all political people should be protected at every cost,” Malik directed.
The Governor has decided to call high-level meeting to review safety and security aspects of all political leaders and Sarpanchs in the State after opening of the Governor’s Secretariat in Srinagar, the summer capital, tomorrow.
The Raj Bhavan spokesman said Malik spoke to his Advisor K Vijay Kumar, Incharge Home Department, and directed him to ensure early arrest of those responsible for the killing of BJP leader, Gull Mohammad Mir and spare none, whosoever tried to create fear and panic among the people.
He strongly condemned the killing of Mir and prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in the hour of grief.
Sources, meanwhile, told the Excelsior that the Government was likely to review its decision to withdraw security cover of some politicians and others across the State in February this year amid indications that withdrawn security cover might be restored following killings as well as resentment shown by the political parties especially when the Assembly elections were also scheduled to be held in the State in next few months.
Mir’s son, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, has stated that his father’s security was withdrawn two months ago and all efforts to get it back had fallen on deaf ears.
“I had given a letter of the BJP leaders to SSP Anantnag but he expressed his helplessness and directed me to see Muneer Khan (Additional Director General of Police Incharge of Security),” Mir said.
Security of political activities including Mir was withdrawn on the orders of top civil and security officials in February despite opposition from security agencies, who had suggested that no security should be withdrawn unless the process for general elections is completed.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condemned the killing of BJP leader Gull Mohammad Mir in Anantnag district last night.
“Strongly condemn the killing of @BJP4JnK leader Shri Gull Mohammad Mir. His contribution towards strengthening the party in Jammu and Kashmir will always be remembered,” Modi said in a tweet.
Extending condolences, Modi said there is no place for such violence in the country.
BJP president Amit Shah also condoled the killing of Gull Mohammad Mir and declared that extremist forces in Kashmir can’t demoralize its workers with violence.
In a tweet, Shah said he was saddened by killing of Gull Mohammad Mir, BJP leader from Anantnag. His contribution in strengthening of BJP in the Valley was immense, he added.
“Extremist forces in the Valley can’t demoralize BJP `karyakartas’ (workers) with violence. My condolences with the bereaved family,” Shah tweeted.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, in a tweet, said: “Deeply anguished by the killing of BJP leader in J&K, Gull Mohammad Mir. His killing is extremely reprehensible. My heart goes out to his bereaved family and well wishers”.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley described as “condemnable act of violence” the killing of the BJP leader.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his family members. May the departed leader’s soul rest in peace,” Jaitley wrote on twitter.
Union Minister in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh wrote: “Saddened by the brutal killing of BJP district vice president for Anantnag, Gull Mohammad Mir. A shameful act by disgruntled elements seeking to interrupt the ongoing election process in the Valley”.
Dr Jitendra Singh also spoke to Governor Satya Pal Malik and officials of the Home Ministry.
“I believe the Governor has issued instructions to carry out detailed inquiry and has also assured us that adequate security will be provided to all BJP workers, who are active in the election process,” Dr Singh said.
Former Chief Minister and National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah, while taking a potshot at the Chief Secretary, said withdrawing security of political activists was a “foolish decision”.
“Questions need to be asked but they can’t be answered by the person who was responsible for the actual order to withdraw security. The security withdrawal had been opposed by State and Central intelligence agencies so who overruled them and went ahead regardless?”, he tweeted.
“Not long ago senior BJP leaders were bragging about how undeserving people had their security withdrawn in J&K. I’d warned against the decision then and yesterday’s assassination of Mir only confirms what I’d feared-it was a foolish decision disconnected from reality,” Omar said.
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