IIOJK political leaders condemn killing of two non-local persons in Kulgam
Srinagar: Political leaders in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have condemned the killing of two non-local persons by unidentified gunmen in Kulgam district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the two non-locals, identified as Deepak and Bhupinder from Indian state of Chhattisgarh, were killed after unidentified gunmen opened fire on them in the Kelam area of Kulgam on Friday evening.
Senior All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a statement, condemned the attack, saying the killing of any person could not be justified under any circumstances. He said targeting non-locals was against all human values. The Mirwaiz said that whether in occupied Jammu and Kashmir or elsewhere, the loss of lives only deepens pain and suffering. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families
IIOJK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also condemned the incident and expressed profound grief over the loss of lives. He announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 1 million (10 lakh) each for the families of the deceased.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, while condemning the attack, said he failed to understand why such tragic incidents occur whenever the demand for the restoration of IIOJK’s statehood gains momentum. He said it was too early to identify those responsible and called for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti also denounced the killings, saying she had no words to describe the tragedy. She questioned how such an attack could take place despite the massive security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, describing it as a serious security lapse, and demanded a comprehensive investigation.
Mehbooba Mufti further said that after the killing of a policeman by unidentified persons in Islamabad district on July 22, the authorities had intensified restrictions across the Kashmir Valley, detaining thousands of youth. She said even elderly people had been booked on allegations of links with militants. She asked how such an attack could have taken place despite the heavy deployment of forces.
