In a rare incident, in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, a BJP leader and his brother were shot dead by unknown gunmen at his residence, triggering fears of unrest and prompting authorities to impose a curfew in the area, on November 1, 2018.
BJP state secretary Anil Parihar, 52, and his brother Ajeet, 55, were returning home from their shop when they were fired upon from close range at a dark, near a narrow lane leading to their house in Tapal Gali Mohalla of Kishtwar town which falls in the Jammu region. This was the first such political killing in the region in recent years. In last month, two political workers from the National Conference and People’s Democratic Party parties were also killed in Srinagar.
Soon after the attack, people started assembling outside the residence of Parihar. The assignation led to the overnight protests in the area. Fearing further protest authorities later curfewed the area. Next day the prohibitory orders were extended in Doda district in Chenab Valley. While as army’s 4 RR unit conducted flag marches in Bhaderwah town of Doda district.
The bodies of Parihar brothers were consigned to flames in today afternoon. thousands of people attended his last rites amidst heavy rains which lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The curfew was imposed at around 4:30 AM, in the Baderwah town as a precautionary measure. The Prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC were also imposed in entire Doda district, while as curfew was clamped in Bhaderwah town and some parts of Doda town.
The killing led telecom authorities to slow down the speed of the internet in Bhaderwah and other areas of Chenab valley to check rumour mongering. Due to the curfew board exams of Higher Secondary Part-I scheduled for Friday in Kishtwar were also postponed in five centres of the town.
However, in Bhadarwah, the exam was conducted normally and roll number slips of candidates were treated as curfew passes. Inspector General of Jammu police Dr SDS Jamwal said they were are probing all angles in the case, including militancy. In this regard, the special investigation team (SIT) has also been constituted.
The killing was later condemned by the various political leaders. Taking to the twitter handle Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: “Shocked & pained by the killing of J&K State BJP leader Sh. Anil Parihar & his brother. My heart goes out to the bereaved family. Spoke to Advisor to J&K Governor, Sh Vijay Kumar regarding the incident. The police will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
Offering condolences with the bereaved family and their colleagues, NC vice president and former chief minister Omar Abdullah prayed for the eternal peace to the departed souls. Meanwhile, party General Secretary Haji Ali Mohammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, and other party functionaries also expressed grief over the killings and offered condolences with the bereaved families.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing and said: “these killings are followed by counter threats of violence to avenge deaths, which clearly is not working.”
While as CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami condemned the act and termed it heinous and barbaric. He said the killings have sent shock waves in Chenab valley and everyone is pained and grieved.
– Umar Khurshid
