Political Parties Condemn: ‘Killing Spree Gives Belie Normalcy Claims’
Srinagar, June 2 : Suspected militants on Thursday shot dead a Bank Manager from Rajasthan and a labourer from Bihar while injured another non-local worker in two separate incidents within less than 12 hours in Kashmir Valley.
A top Police officer told GNS that the Bank Manager of Elaqahi Dehati Bank, Branch of Kulgam, Vijay Kumar, was fired upon by a militant this morning in Arreh area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
He was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. However a doctor at district hospital Kulgam told GNS Kumar was brought dead to the facility. A CCTV footage of the incident shows that a militant fires few pistol shots from point blank range inside the bank while Kumar was working in his office chamber. Soon after carrying the attack, the militant flees without firing any more shot. Soon after the attack, police and security forces cordoned off the entire area to nab the attackers, officials said.
Meanwhile two non-locals were fired upon by militants on Thursday late evening in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Medical Superintendent SMHS hospital Dr. Kanwaljeet Singh confirmed to GNS that one among the non-locals succumbed to the injuries. Sources identified the deceased as Dilkhush of Bihar, who was working as a labourer at Brick Kiln.
Earlier a senior Police officer told GNS that the two non-locals were fired upon by militants in Magraypora area of the district.
One had bullet wound in hand and other received firearm injury in neck area. Both were immediately shifted to nearby hospital for treatment, the officer said. the injured has been identified as Goria, a resident of Gurdaspur, Punjab.
“(Militants) fired upon 02 outside labourers working in a Brick Kiln in Chadoora area of Budgam. The duo was shifted to hospital for treatment where one among them succumbed,” police said in a tweet.
Soon after the attack whole area has been cordoned off to nab the attackers. More details will follow soon.
Meanwhile, political parties condemned the killing of the manager in ‘unequivocal terms’.
“I unequivocally condemn the brutal killing of Vijay Kumar, a Bank Manager in Kulgam. The killing spree and the pervasive fear among civilians, minorities and other soft targets gives a lie to the claims of the government that everything was Ok in Kashmir. This is not the case While our brothers and sisters are being targeted under daylight, the government has its head in the sand. This ostrich approach will push the situation to a point of no return ,” National Conference president Farooq Abdullah said, adding, “
An employee becomes a target in a busy office, or a cop gets killed at home, if this is the new face of normalcy, I cannot say anything. We feel sorry that innocent people are being killed one after another. Minorities are being killed. Police persons are being killed. Civilians are getting killed in targeted attacks.”
PDP in a tweet said: “Mayhem! Two more civilians shot at in Budgam. Total breakdown of Law & Order. Will the govt still parrot the narrative of normalcy or has it internalised its own propaganda. Condolences with Dilkhush’s family & praying for speedy recovery to the other.Has peace been ‘established’?”
Earlier party chief and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in a tweet said: “Condemn yet another targeted killing today of Vijay Kumar, a bank manager working in Kulgam. Heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”
CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami termed the killing of the bank manager as barbaric and said that this is yet another addition to the long list of civilian killings.
“No words are enough to condemn such barbaric acts. Such acts only suit the enemies of Kashmir.
The administration must post these employees in safer places and provide them secure ccommodations,” he said, adding, “Every citizen irrespective of his, her affiliation must raise their voice against such heinous criminal acts.”
Jammu Kashmir Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said, “I am shocked to hear about this sad news. Seeing innocent people falling prey to the bullets every now and then is heart-wrenching. The targeted killing spree is becoming a routine here. Everybody must raise their voice against these heinous crimes.” (GNS)
