Circus worker’s killing in Anantnag widely condemned
LG sanctions Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia for kin of the slain
Srinagar: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday condemned the killing of a civilian by militants in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district and sought strict security measures to prevent such targeted killings.
Deepu Kumar (27), who worked at a circus in the district’s Janglat Mandi area, was gunned down by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the latest incident of targeted killing when he had gone to the market to buy milk around 8.30 pm on Monday.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday approved an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of Deepu Kumar who was killed by terrorists in Anantnag district, officials said.
Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office wrote on Twitter, “While on a visit to Chennai, I was extremely shocked to learn about the brutal killing of young Deepu who hailed from Majalta, district Udhampur and was earning meagre livelihood in Anantnag. BJP Karyakartas have already reached the house of the bereaved family to provide all possible help.
“While strongly condemning the killing of this youth from a poor family, it is strongly urged that strict security measures be enforced to prevent such target killings and also to act as a deterrent against terror activities.”
Kumar hailed from Udhampur district, represented in the Lok Sabha by Singh.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also condemned the attack and said the government and the entire nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with the family.
“Our security forces remain committed in their resolve to thwart the designs of terrorists and all efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said in a statement late on Monday, even as he also approved an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of Kumar.
Leaders of all political parties also expressed their condemnation.
Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina termed the killing as unfortunate that has shamed humanity.
“This is a very unfortunate incident which shames humanity. His father is on the death-bed and his elder brother is blind. He was the only bread earner for the family,” Raina, who was among several BJP workers who joined the last rites of the deceased, told PTI.
He said the perpetrators of the gruesome crime have done a great injustice to the poor family.
“What was his crime for which he was brutally killed? An innocent blood was shed and those who have done this have committed a great sin,” Raina said, adding “the culprits cannot escape the law here and the creator too will not forgive them”.
The BJP leader said he spoke to the Lt Governor and sought adequate compensation for the poor family. “I am hopeful that the government will come out with a proper rehabilitation plan for them”.
Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said in a tweet, “Deeply anguished by yet another attack on an innocent civilian in Anantnag. Deepu eked out his living by working at an amusement park. My heart goes out to his family in this hour of grief. This speaks volumes about GOI’s policy which has been a monumental failure in J-K.”
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, “Pained by the news of yet another targeted attack against a civilian in Anantnag area of South Kashmir. The murder of Deepak who worked with a travelling circus to earn an honest living is an abomination and I condemn this militant attack unreservedly. May Deepak’s soul rest in peace.”
Sajad Lone, chairman of the People’s Conference, tweeted, “The killing of Deepu by terrorists in Anantnag is yet another incident of savagery. In wonderment how does the killing of a civilian help anybody. Deepu was here in search of livelihood for himself and his family. And May Allah burn in hell those thugs who killed him.”
Condemning the killing, Democratic Progressive Azad Party chief Ghulam Nabi Azad said “terrorism is a menace that needs to be fought by all collectively”.
“Strongly condemn the heinous act of killing Deepu of Udhampur by terrorists in Anantnag. Terrorism is a menace that needs to be fought by us collectively. It is a curse against humanity!” Azad said in a tweet.
He also expressed solidarity with the victim’s family and urged the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
Reacting to the killing, the Jammu chapter of J&K High Court Bar Association termed it as “dastardly act” and voiced concern about the game-plan of terrorists and their masters across the border in selectively targeting the peace-loving civilians.
Chairing a condolence meeting inside the court complex in Jammu, Bar president Vikram Sharma appreciated the offensive mounted by security forces against the perpetrators of crime to bring them to book.
“We hope such incidents are not allowed to recur and that the terrorism shall soon be wiped out,” he said, urging the government to give a befitting response to those waging war against the country from within and outside.
Wife expecting first child in June, terror attack snatches family’s sole breadwinner
Udhampur, May 30 (PTI) Deepu Kumar (27) was expecting his first child in June but his life was cut short in a terror attack in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, leaving his poor family without its sole breadwinner.
Kumar, who worked at a circus in the district’s Janglat Mandi area, was gunned down by “Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists” in the latest incident of targeted killing when he had gone to the market to buy milk around 8.30 pm on Monday.
His body was on Tuesday moved to his remote Thial village in Udhampur district where, in a heart-wrenching gesture, locals came forward to help the Below Poverty Line-family perform his last rites.
“Kumar was the only earning hand in the family comprising his ailing father Mashu Ram, blind brother Raju and his wife, and their two minor children,” local resident Shankar Dass said.
He said the family moved to the remote village from Kathua district over a decade back. Kumar’s mother died sometime ago. His elder brother Raju lost his eyesight about four years ago while his father is hearing impaired.
“Over the past six years, he was in Kashmir and moving from place to place with his circus. We talked to him just before he was killed. He had transferred some money to meet the family’s medical expenses,” Raju said.
Devastated after hearing the news of Kumar’s killing, his father asked, “What was his fault? He was there to earn a livelihood for the family.”
The family, living in a single-storey mud-house on a hill slope and whose sole possessions are three goats, demanded justice for Kumar’s murder.
Abhi Sharma, the circus owner, said they were in the Janglat Mandi area for the past two months and planned to move to another destination within a day or two when the incident occurred.
“He married Gudya about two years ago and the couple was expecting their first child around June 15,” Sharma, who was among those accompanying the body in an ambulance, said.
He said they have been frequently organising shows in the Valley over the past few years but never faced such a situation.
“The incident happened outside our camping site, which was well protected… We have our own private security,” Sharma said, demanding adequate compensation and a job for Kumar’s wife.
Amid anti-Pakistan sloganeering, a large number of villagers turned up to receive Kumar’s body around 1.30 pm despite a drizzle. The body had left Anantnag in an ambulance under police protection at 8 am.
According to the police, the victim had gone to a nearby marketplace when two motorcycle-borne men fired three bullets at him from close range. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead by doctors.
Additional Director General of Police (Kashmir Zone) Vijay Kumar directed the district police to intensify their search to nab the killers at the earliest.
A little-known outfit, Kashmir Freedom Fighter, “believed to be a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba”, has claimed responsibility for the killing.
A BJP delegation led by spokesperson RS Pathania visited the family and assured all possible assistance.
A group of people also staged an anti-Pakistan protest following the killing and demanded security for members of the minority community working in the Valley.
