Srinagar: The killing of principal and a teacher of a government school by unknown persons suspected to be militants at Eidgah area of Srinagar on Thursday evoked widespread condemnations by the various political parties.
National Conference Party President, Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah said the series of killings in Kashmir is another “horrid display of cruelty and barbarism and will inadvertently complicate the return of peace in the region.”
While condemning the killing of Satinder Kour and Deepak Chand respectively,. Farooq said, “I condemn the dastardly killings unreservedly and express my unison with the families of victims in their hour of grief and loss. The spurt in the incidents of targeted killings also raise a big question mark on the security scenario in Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar city.”
The perpetrators, who have committed this “heinous act”, have no religion, he said. “No religion condones violence. Nothing justifies such bloodshed,” he said in a statement.
While describing the killings as cold blooded murder which cannot be compensated by anything he said, “I express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray to Almighty to give the bereaved family the strength to bear the loss in this hour of grief.”
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also condemned the killings, he told reporters in Budgam that “it is our national duty to protect the minorities” in Jammu and Kashmir.
Calling the incident “unfortunate” Naqvi said, “those who are indulging in such activities are the enemies of the development work carried out by the Modi government”.
“There was no development for the past 70 years but with the coming of the Modi government the region has seen development,” he added.
PDP president and former Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K, Mehbooba Mufti said that it was disturbing to see the deteriorating situation in Kashmir where a “minuscule minority is the latest target.”
“GOI’s claims of building a Naya Kashmir has actually turned it into a hellhole. It’s sole interest is to use Kashmir as a milch cow for its electoral interests,” she said in a tweet.
Terming the killing of two teachers as barbaric, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) said it is a clear security lapse.
J&K BJP General Secretary (orgnisation) Ashok Koul strongly condemned the killings and offered his condolence to the bereaved families.
“It is unfortunate that security agencies have failed to thwart such attacks in the valley, particularly in Srinagar”, Koul said in a statement.
He said it is a clear security lapse as seven civilians have been killed in Kashmir during the past five days. “Why our police and other agencies have failed to safeguard the lives of common citizens,” he questioned.
He said it is a clear security lapse and the government should beef up the security to safeguard people. Presently there is a security threat prevailing in Srinagar and which was not there in Valley, Koul said adding the government should admit lapses on its part.
CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that the killing of two school teachers was most unfortunate and tragic. “Such barbaric incidents have no place in a civilised society. Such brutal killings are harmful for the society and can’t be justified under any circumstances,” he said in a statement.
“It is the responsibility of the whole society, including political, social, religious and other organisations, to come forward and condemn such barbaric incidents in one voice. Spilling the blood of innocents is not acceptable to us.”
He said the spree of latest killings has shocked the Kashmiri society.
“Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs are part and parcel of the local shared history, and cultural ethos. Protecting the pluralistic visage of J&K must be the top agenda of every Kashmiri,” he said, adding, “We condemn these killings in the strongest words and express deep sympathy with the bereaved families.”
Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari also expressed deep shock and grief over the brutal killings.
In a statement issued here, Bukhari termed the incident as a “dastardly coward act wherein civilians have been targeted mercilessly.”
“This is a brazen display of cowardice and inhuman nature. The government must act tough against the perpetrators of this heinous crime against humanity,” Bukhari said, demanding security measures that can prevent such brutal killings across Kashmir.
He said that the agony and pain through which the families of victims would be now going through is inexpressible. “This senseless violence seems to have no end as even women folk are not being spared now. What justification can be given for these cold-blooded killings?” he asked.
