Ashok Koul writes to Nadda seeks security for party workers
Srinagar, Aug 9: A Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) local leader Abdul Hamid Najar was shot at and critically wounded by unidentified gunmen in the central Kashmir’ of Budgam district on early Sunday morning, official sources said.
Meanwhile, hours after the attack on Najar, who was reportedly heading OBC cell of the party in Budgam, four local leaders of BJP in the district announced their resignation from the party. About six BJP workers and local leaders left BJP after a sarpanch was shot dead by militants in south Kashmir recently.
Official sources told UNI that Najar left his Mohiendpora, Badgam, residence for a routine morning walk at 0530 am. However, when he was hardly about 300 meters away from his house gunmen waiting there fired at Najar from close range near railway track. Local residents immediately rushed out of their houses and shifted the injured BJP worker to SMHS hospital where he was operated upon by the doctors. Reports said Najar had received three bullets.
The gunmen managed to escape though security forces immediately reached the spot and conducting search operation.
Confirming the incident, BJP leader Manzoor Ahmad Bhat said that Najar is a dedicated party worker, who has been making efforts to mitigate the problems of locals.
This is the third attack on people associated with BJP in the valley during the last five days. A sarpanch, Sajjad Ahmad, was attacked outside his residence at Qazigund in south Kashmir on Thursday. Another sarpanch, identified as Arif Ahmad Shah, was critically injured in the attack by militants in south Kashmir.
Last month, former BJP district president Waseem Bari, his father and brother were killed inside their shop in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul, who has been raising the security issue after recent attack has now written a letter to national president J P Nadda in this regard.
Seeking secured accommodation for the party leaders in every district in Kashmir. However, he urged workers and leaders not to come out without security cover. Koul said, “the BJP leaders and workers will not be cowed down by such inhuman acts.”
Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) senior leader and former legislator Rafi Ahmad Mir condemned the attack on BJP worker Najar in Budgam district.
In a statement issued here, Mir urged the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to take an immediate review of the security situation especially the requirements of political workers irrespective of their affiliations.
“Today’s attack is again a grim reminder for the J&K government to take concrete measures for safety and security of the political workers who put their lives at risk for strengthening of democratic process in this part of the world. Security of their lives should be of paramount importance and priority for any dispensation which is at the helm of affairs,” he remarked.
