LG condemns attack, says free-hand given to SFs to deal with terrorists
STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Terrorists on Sunday shot dead a 40-year-old Kashmiri Pandit man Sanjay Sharma in Pulwama district while he was on his way to a local market, in yet another targeted killing of a minority community member in the valley.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has condemned the killing and said the administration has given a free hand to security forces to deal with terrorists.
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The administration has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the terrorists and we will continue to combat such acts of terrorism firmly and decisively,” the LG said.
Sanjay Sharma, who worked as an ATM guard, was shot in the chest at point-blank range barely 100 metres from his residence in the Achan area of the south Kashmir district at around 11 am, police said, adding he was rushed to a hospital by passersby but succumbed to injuries.
He was not reporting to duty of late following an earlier spate of terror attacks on his community members, his colleagues said.
“Terrorists fired upon one civilian from minority namely Sanjay Sharma, son of Kashinath Sharma, resident of Achan Pulwama while on way to a local market,” the Kashmir Zone police said on Twitter.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG), South Kashmir Range, Rayees Bhat said it was a “planned attack”.
He said armed security guards had been placed on duty in the village.
“We had security in place here as well. Under what circumstances this attack took place is a matter of investigation. We will proceed further based on what comes out of these investigations,” he said.
“We are sifting through the information that we have received so far. The terrorists involved in this crime will be soon tracked down and neutralised…. We will not allow the terrorists to succeed in their evil designs,” the DIG said.
It was the first attack on a member of the minority community in Kashmir this year.
Last year, terrorists carried out nearly 30 attacks on civilians, killing 18 persons, including three Kashmiri Pandits, a bank manager from Rajasthan, a woman teacher from Jammu and eight non-local workers.
The killing has been widely condemned by the political parties.
National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said the barbaric killing raises questions on the security apparatus and the law and order situation in the valley.
“I am deeply saddened to know about the barbaric killing of Sanjay ji. The bereaved family has my deepest sympathies and unwavering support. Words of condemnation and condolence ring hollow as do the assurances of the government on safeguarding the lives of people. This killing yet again raises the troubling question on security apparatus, law and order situation in the Valley,” Abdullah said.
NC’s vice president and former J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the killing.
“Deeply saddened… Sanjay was working as a bank security guard and was killed in a militant attack earlier today. I unequivocally condemn this attack and send my condolences to his loved ones,” Omar Abdullah said in a tweet.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti accused the BJP-led Centre of failing to protect Kashmiri Pandits and also hit out at the perpetrators of the attack.
“Any killing, especially target killing, is a matter of grave concern and condemnable. We condemn it,” former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said.
Condemning the killing, Democratic Azad Party Chief has appealed to the government to make security and other agencies answerable for such killings.
BJP J-K General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul said the government must strengthen the security grid to nab the culprits behind the attack and punish them.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee termed it an act of cowardice.
“The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be identified and given exemplary punishment. Bloodshed and killing of innocent people are highly condemnable and deserve strong condemnation by every section of the people,” the JKPCC said in a statement.
“Condemning in no uncertain terms the killing of Sanjay Pandith in Pulwama. The unfortunate incident has again raised the spectre of last year’s despicable targeted killings in the Valley. Sharing the pain and grief of the bereaved family,” CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami said in a tweet.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari described the attack as barbaric and heinous.
“Terribly sad over the barbaric terror attack consuming the life of Sanjay Sharma, a Kashmiri Pandit brother. Such heinous acts have only left trails of death & suffering. I condemn this unequivocally. My condolences to the family,” he said on Twitter.
“I wonder what these thugs will achieve. Killing innocents who chose to stay back or come back suits only the worst enemies of Kashmiris. My prayers with family of Mr Sanjay,” Peoples Conference chief Sajad Lone wrote on Twitter.
Activists of J&K unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) led by their president Manish Sahni staged a demonstration outside their office at Channi Himmat on the outskirts of Jammu to protest the killing of Sharma.
Prime Minister package Kashmiri migrant Pandit employees and reserved category Dogra employees are camping in Jammu seeking their relocation after they fled the valley in May following targeted killings of their two colleagues Rahul Bhat and Rajni Balla.
J&K Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma also condemned the killing of Sharma and said “the attack is a cause of concern and depicts the failure of the government to ensure protection of innocent civilians.”
“Instead of making hollow claims about normalcy, the government should ensure protection of minorities and other innocent civilians. The Kashmiri pandit and Dogra employees are on protest in Jammu and the government is compelling them to return to their duties in the valley which is not possible in such an atmosphere,” Sharma said.
Separately, J&K Congress spokesperson Jahanzaib Sirwal demanded exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of targeted killings.
“The killing of a Kashmiri Pandit exposes the claims of normalcy..Center should take adequate measures to stop target killings and save the precious lives rather than befooling people by claiming return of normalcy in the valley.
“The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be identified and given exemplary punishment,” Sirwal said.
National Democratic Party Indian (NDPI) Chief J&K UT, Rajesh Gupta said “I unequivocally condemn attack on Sanjay Sharma. Targeted killings continue and a sense of fear grows unchecked. My heartfelt condolences to Sanjay’s family,”.
“The incident is another reminder by terrorists that minority communities in Kashmir are on their radar and their lives are in danger,” Apni Party General Secretary, Vijay Bakaya said and urged administration to stock of present situation and make foolproof arrangements to prevent targeted killings.
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla in his condolence message issued said, “Pained beyond words on despicable killing of Kashmiri Pandit in Pulwama. My thoughts are with family of Sanjay Pandita. Terrorists responsible for barbaric act should not be spared,” urging administration to take stringent measures to safeguard lives of innocent civilians.
Expressing solidarity with the family members of the deceased, Anil Sharma, President All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) said that coward terrorists and all their facilitators would be neutralized by brave forces to avenge the killing of innocent person. He assured the bereaved family members that Government of India and security forces won’t spare anyone involved in the heinous.
“It is yet another case of targeted killing of minorities which has been taking place consistently for past two years amidst threats by terrorist organizations which are working in strife torn Kashmir,” the Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS) Jammu members said. Expressing deep condolences with bereaved family and praying for peace to the departed soul, KPS urged LG to provide security to his next of kin and announce adequate compensation along with a government job.
Gantantrik Samaj Sangathan (GSS), Jammu and Kashmir has also condemned the recent terror attack terming it another despicable act of violence by Pakistan. In a statement issued to media, Pritam Singh Saini, National Vice President GSS said that situation in J&K has turned grim with continuation of selective killings after regular intervals.