Farooq links Kulgam attack to J&K Statehood demand
Strongly condemning the killing of two migrant workers in Kulgam, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday kicked up a political storm by claiming such attacks seem to occur whenever the demand for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's Statehood gains momentum.
“I do not know why such incidents happen whenever we are demanding statehood,” Abdullah told reporters.
Describing the incident as deeply unfortunate, Abdullah also called for a fair and impartial investigation to identify those responsible.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said it was essential to ascertain who was behind the attack. “It is deeply unfortunate. We do not know who killed them, and we do not know who the perpetrators are. There should be a thorough and honest investigation to identify those responsible,” he said.
Leader of the opposition in J&K Assembly, Sunil Sharma, who met members of the victim families in PCR Srinagar, said, “The tragic and heartbreaking incident that occurred Friday evening in the Kelam area of Kulgam is deeply distressing. To gun down young men in front of their own children, people who came to Kashmir merely to work as daily wage labourers to feed and raise their families — what kind of jihad is this? What are you trying to prove by doing this? I believe the security forces need to be on a high alert right now, and the entire ecosystem supporting them must be completely rooted out. We need to eliminate the terrorists as well as demolish their support structure. An attempt is being made to disrupt the peace that has been established here, and I believe this is absolutely intolerable. The elements who continue to promote Pakistan’s narrative here must be dealt with strictly.”
Former JK BJP Unit Chief Ravinder Raina also hit back. Reacting to Dr Abdullah’s statement, Raina said, “He is a very responsible person, and in the context of the terror attack that took place in Kulgam, Farooq Abdullah made a deeply unfortunate and highly controversial statement. When innocent labourers are brutally murdered by terrorists, the nation expects every political leader to stand united against terrorism, not to make any speculative statements, not to create confusion, or to divert attention from the perpetrators. He is just justifying this terror attack and relating this attack to Statehood. This is highly condemnable”.
On the other hand, Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti called the Kulgam terror attack a security failure. She demanded a proper investigation, saying such incidents should not occur despite heightened security during the Yatra.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee has strongly condemned the killing of non-local labourers in Kulgam.
In a statement, JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra described the attack as cowardly with nefarious designs. “This is unacceptable and highly condemnable. This is a matter of great concern, and those responsible for security must gear up to defeat their designs.”
