SRINAGAR: Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has strongly condemned the brutal killing of Ashok Chauhan, a roadside vendor, by suspected militants in the Shopian district of South Kashmir. In a statement shared via social media, Sinha denounced the attackers as “cowardly terrorists” and expressed his heartfelt condolences to Chauhan’s grieving family.
“The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with his family,” Sinha stated, underscoring the resolve of security forces to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the local administration to provide all necessary support to Chauhan’s family during this tragic time.
The body of Chauhan, a 30-year-old migrant labourer from Bihar, was found near the Rambiara river in Shopian. Chauhan, who was selling maize in the district, had gone missing after receiving a call to collect corn from a nearby location. His bullet-riddled body was discovered later, marking the first suspected militant attack on a migrant worker since the new government assumed office.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his sorrow over the killing, describing the attack as “abhorrent” and urging the public to condemn it in the strongest terms. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Abdullah shared on X, offering his condolences to Chauhan’s loved ones.
This incident adds to the growing list of attacks on migrant workers in Kashmir following the 2019 abrogation of Article 370. Earlier this year, two non-local labourers were killed by militants, while earlier this month, an army soldier was found dead in Anantnag after being abducted by militants.
Security forces have intensified their efforts in the region, with the Jammu and Kashmir Police launching an investigation to confirm the nature of Chauhan’s killing and track down those responsible.
