Even as situation remained tense in communally sensitive Kishtwar after the 'brutal' killing of a top BJP leader, Anil Parihar, and his elder brother, Ajeet Parihar, on ground zero fear is lurking in the minds of local residents over the revival of terrorism in the region.
Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, had imposed curfew restrictions in the area late Thursday night to contain public anger against the killing. Mobile internet services were snapped in the hilly districts while Internet services were slowed down across Jammu region to prevent spread of rumours and communally sensitive propaganda material/literature.
Parihar was one of the bravest right wing politicians in the region and had countered separatism and terrorism 'firmly'. He along with his brother was running a stationary and sports goods business in Kishtwar. The duo were returning home when 'unidentified' gunmen hit them in the head,leading to their sudden death.
Recently, he had publicly opposed calls for support of Article 35A at the peak of controversy over granting special status to the State of J&K.
Almost 25 years ago on May 10, 1993 one of the most vocal and popular leader of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Satish Bhandari, too was gunned down in the same area by 'unidentified' terrorists. He was targeted by the terrorists to spread panic among the members of the Hindu community to fled away from the hilly district.
On the same pattern suspected terrorists, believed to be cadre of Hizbul Mujahideen, targeted Anil Parihar to eliminate tall leaders and instil fear in their minds, local residents alleged.
Former BJP Minister and a local MLA, Sunil Sharma, echoed similar sentiments in Kishtwar ahead of their cremation ceremony.
Speaking to media persons at his residence Sunil Sharma said, "it is due to the failure of the security agencies we have lost such a senior BJP leader who represented voice of the people of Kishtwar region and played key role in ongoing fight against revival of terrorism in the region".
Sharma said, series of events which have taken place clearly indicate attempts are being made to once again revive terrorism in the region to scare away Hindu population.He also raised question marks over the decision to disband Special Operations group (SOG) from the area, chiefly responsible for tackling the threat posed by terrorists.
He said each and every BJP worker present in Kishtwar is alert and ready to foil sinister design of anti national forces.
Before the cremation ceremony Army columns staged flag march in Kishtwar and neighbouring Bhaderwah town in Doda district to restore peace in the region. Protests rocked different district headquarters of Jammu region where BJP workers and various other socio-politico organisations staged protest demonstrations and shouted anti-Pak slogans.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta demanded high level probe behind the brutal killing. He said it could be a case of politically motivated murder and a high level probe should be ordered to unravel the mystery behind the attack.
Meanwhile, members of the J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu suspended work in the High Court and lower courts in protest against the killing of BJP leader and his brother.