SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday condemned the killing of a Hindu woman teacher by militants inside a government school in Kulgam. The LG said that the assailants will be given an “unforgettable response”.
Rajni Bala, a 36-year-old school teacher, belonged to Samba district and was posted in Gopalpora, Kulgam. With her death, it is the second killing of a non-Muslim government employee in May and the seventh targeted killing in Kashmir this month.
“Terrorist attack on a school teacher Rajni Bala is the most reprehensible act. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Terrorists and their sympathisers will be given unforgettable response for dastardly attack (sic),” the Jammu and Kashmir LG tweeted.
Terrorist attack on a school teacher, Rajni Bala is the most reprehensible act. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Terrorists and their sympathizers will be given unforgettable response for dastardly attack.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) May 31, 2022
Veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also condemned the killing of the school teacher in Kulgam.
“I am pained to learn about the heart-wrenching incidents of targeted killing of two women in Kashmir within one week, Amreen Bhat and Rajani Bala. I strongly condemn the killing of Rajani Bala,” Azad tweeted.
I am pained to learn about the heart wrenching incidents of targeted killing of two women in Kashmir within one week, Amreen Bhat and Rajani Bala.
I strongly condemn the killing of Rajani Bala.
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) May 31, 2022
“I urge the administration to take stringent measures to safeguard the lives of innocent civilians. I express my sympathies with the bereaved families,” he added.
I urge the administration to take stringent measures to safeguard the lives of innocent civilians.
I express my sympathies with the bereaved families.
— Ghulam Nabi Azad (@ghulamnazad) May 31, 2022
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and vice president of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Omar Abdullah said, “A government teacher working in Kulgam area of South Kashmir, she lost her life in a despicable targeted attack.”
Another targeted attack against a migrant government teacher in Kulgam area of South Kashmir. Reports of her condition are conflicting. Praying that she survives the attack.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 31, 2022
“Rajni was from Samba District of Jammu province. A government teacher working in Kulgam area of South Kashmir, she lost her life in a despicable targeted attack. My heart goes out to her husband Raj Kumar & the rest of her family. Another home was irreparably damaged by violence,” Omar tweeted.
Rajni was from Samba District of Jammu province. A government teacher working in Kulgam area of South Kashmir, she lost her life in a despicable targeted attack. My heart goes out to her husband Raj Kumar & the rest of her family. Another home irreparably damaged by violence.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 31, 2022
In a tweet, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said: “Despite GOIs fake claims about Kashmir being normal its obvious that targeted civilian killings are on the rise & a deep cause of concern. Condemn this act of cowardice which sadly plays into the vicious anti Muslim narrative spun by BJP.”
Despite GOIs fake claims about Kashmir being normal its obvious that targeted civilian killings are on the rise & a deep cause of concern. Condemn this act of cowardice which sadly plays into the vicious anti muslim narrative spun by BJP. https://t.co/3TK6rxXu6S
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 31, 2022
CPI(M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami has termed the killing of a woman teacher as tragic and unfortunate.
“This is yet another addition to the long list of civilian killings. There seems no end to the bloodletting, he said.
“The administration must post these employees in safer places and provide them with secure accommodations,” said Tarigami in a statement.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone while dubbing the killing as an act of cowardice said: “Cowardice has yet again plummeted to shameless depths. A teacher- an innocent female hailing from Samba has been shot dead in Kulgam. May her soul rest in peace.”
Cowardice has yet again plummeted to shameless depths.
A teacher- an innocent female hailing from Samba has been shot dead in Kulgam.
May her soul rest in peace.— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) May 31, 2022
Jammu Kashmir Apni Party (JKAP) President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has expressed his deep sense of grief over the killing of Rajni Bala.
In a statement issued here, Bukhari has termed the killing as a heinous crime by the terrorists. He said, “The targeted killing spree has created havoc and absolute insecurity among the masses. Nobody is able to understand why innocent people are being gunned down. Everyone, irrespective of his or her religious belief and political ideology is frightened in the Valley. Rajni Bala’s killing is the seventh targeted killing in Kashmir in the month of May. Earlier, six innocent people including Kashmir pandit Rahul Bhat and three off-duty policemen were killed in the same manner.”
“How long will this mindless bloodshed continue here, and what would the perpetrators achieve by killing innocent people?” He asked.
The Apni Party President urged people to raise their voices against this mindless bloodshed. He said, “Unless people unite to raise their voices against the civilian killings, these killings will not stop. Every one of us ought to fight against this ruthlessness, and everyone should condemn these killings in the strongest possible terms.”
It is painful to witness targeted killings of civilians in Kashmir. These dastardly acts of violence have devastated families and today a teacher who taught us the difference between good and evil was killed. It’s shocking. Will words of condemnation be ever enough?
— Altaf Bukhari (@AltafBukhari01) May 31, 2022
Bukhari expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family of the deceased school teacher. He said, “My heart goes out to the bereaved family members of Rajni Bala. Words fall short to express sympathy with the family members of the lady. May Almighty rest her soul in peace and give the bereaved family members enough strength to bear the pain of this irreparable loss.”
He urged the security agencies to nab the killers to ensure they face the justice system.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police said: “Militants involved in this gruesome crime will be soon identified and neutralised.”
