Srinagar, May 16: NC vice-president Omar Abdullah Thursday condemned the killing of a man in Bhaderwah valley, saying the frequency and severity of such violence has been a “dreadful hallmark” of the Modi-led central government.
“I urge the incumbent administration to initiate a time-bound inquiry into the incident and bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book,” the former chief minister said in a statement.
“Meantime I also urge the people to maintain traditional camaraderie and brotherhood. In this hour of grief, I pray for strength to the bereaved to bear the loss,” he said.
Abdullah said the self-anointed vigilantes, knowing that there is no one to reprimand them, are rampantly indulging in such gruesome acts.
“The utter laid back attitude of the incumbent central and state government gives an impression that there is a tacit alliance between the two,” the NC leader alleged.
“The incident of Bhaderwah cannot be singled out; yesterday a Muslim in Assam was coerced to eat pork. Had the incumbent central government properly reined in these elements, such incidents would not have been recurring time and again,” he added.
Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone also strongly condemned the killing.
While expressing profound grief over the killing of Nayeem, Sajad said that those responsible must be dealt as per the law.
“My heart goes out to the family of Nayeem. The Governor administration must ensure that a time-bound probe is initiated and ensure severe punishment to the perpetrators of this ghastly crime,” he said.
He also appealed to the people of Baderwah and surrounding areas to maintain peace and communal harmony at any cost and defeat those trying to vitiate the atmosphere.
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress also expressed concerns over the situation in Bhaderwah area of Doda district.
Expressing concerns over the situation, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) asked the government to identify the culprits and bring them to book.
“We express grave concern over the situation in Bhaderwah following the killing of one person. The government to identify the culprits and book them under law of the land for award of stern punishment,” JKPCC president G A Mir said.
The Congress also appealed to the people to help maintain communal harmony in the area.
