SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday strongly condemned the killing of two non-local labourers in Kulgam, terming the attack an assault on humanity and asserting that those responsible would not be spared.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the bereaved families, Sharma said both the victims hailed from Sakti district of Chhattisgarh and had come to Kashmir to earn a livelihood as labourers.
“These cowardly terrorists have once again shown their cowardice by targeting innocent labourers who had nothing to do with the conflict. The killing of these two labourers is a killing of humanity,” he said.
Expressing grief over the deaths, Sharma said one of the deceased is survived by a one-and-a-half-year-old child, while the other has left behind a wife who is devastated by the tragedy.
“My heart cries when I see the condition of these families. They had come here only to earn an honest living,” he said.
The BJP leader blamed Pakistan-sponsored terrorism for the attack and said such acts reflected the desperation of militants.
“This is the last phase of terrorism. It will not survive for long. I have complete faith in our security forces. Those who carried out this attack and those supporting or sheltering them will be brought to justice,” Sharma said.
He said he had spoken to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. He also urged the Chhattisgarh government to extend all possible assistance to the bereaved families.
Sharma said the Jammu and Kashmir government would provide relief to the families in accordance with existing rules and assured them of full support during the difficult time.
Referring to the recent killing of BJP leader Asif Ahmad Qureshi in Budgam, Sharma said the Kulgam incident was the second terror attack in around 10 days and asserted that the renewed attempts by terrorists to spread fear would fail.
“We are standing with these families not only as a political party but as fellow human beings,” he said.(KNS).
