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Srinagar: The killing of three BJP workers has sent shock waves across Kashmir and created a fear among political workers and panchayat representatives.

On Thursday evening, three young BJP workers were shot dead by suspected militants in Y K Pora area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

The trio were returning to their home in one car when gunmen hiding in Y K Pora fired indiscriminately at around 8:15 pm. They were rushed to the hospital but succumbed to their injuries before their arrival.

The slain BJP workers were identified as Fida Hussain Itoo, Umer Rashid, both residents of Y K Pora Qazigund and Umer Hanan of Sopat area of Qazigund.

Their killings have created a fresh fear among political workers. The slain youth were laid to rest in their graveyards amid hundreds of relatives, friends and neighbours mourning their loss.

Sister of Umar Rashid is in shock since she heard of her brother’s death. “Please give us justice. We need nothing but only justice for my brother. It is the responsibility of the media to show the truth. It is your responsibility to ensure our justice,” she told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) amid mourners consoling her.

Omar is survived by his parents and two sisters. Similarly, Fida too was the lone son of his parents.

One of Fida’s relative said that bloodshed should be stopped in Kashmir. “How many families will be devastated like this? We want justice for this family,” he said.

On Friday several BJP leaders including party J&K President Ravendra Raina, senior leader Sofi Yusuf visited the bereaved families.

“These young boys sacrificed their lives for the nation which will be remembered for ever. They were true nationalist and always raised national flag,” Raina said as per news agency KINS.

“Pakistan is a threat to world peace and humanity and must be taught a lesson,” he said.
National Conference president and Member Parliament Farooq Abdullah said such gruesome killings have no place in the civilized world. “Violence in all forms is condemnable.

Our instrument should be dialogue not violence. Sanctity of life should be respected at all levels far,” he said.

His son and former chief minister Omar Abdullah  said he unequivocally condemned the targeted killings of three BJP workers in a terror attack.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said she was saddened to hear about the killing of three BJP workers in Kulgam. “Condolences to their families. At the end of the day, its people of J&K who pay with their lives because of GOI’s ill thought out policies,” she said, in her Tweet.

J&K Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir while condemning the attack said he has no words to express his grief into killing of three workers.

People Conference chairman Sajjad Lone also condemned the attack. “Yet another killing. Condemn this heinous violence.  Hope we get out of this vicious cycle of violence. Hope peace prevails. Hope sanity prevails. Violence has to be condemned in all its forms,” he added. (KINS)

President, PM Modi, LG Manoj Sinha greeted people

Srinagar: Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) was celebrated with full reverence, devotion and religious fervour in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The day marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

According to news agency KINS, various organizing committees had decided not to take out Milad processions in view of COVID-19 pandemic. However, highlighting the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad ‘Milad Mehfils’ and online ‘Seerat Conferences’ were held in various areas of the Union territory.

Special functions were held in Kashmir at various shrines and Masjids, said an official. However, he informed that devotees were appealed to follow COVID19 safety guidelines strictly and spend less time at shrines and Masjids to avoid violation of coronavirus guidelines.

The biggest congregation was held at Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar where devotees in large numbers offered special prayers and have glimpses of the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In South Kashmir, thousands of people offer prayers at Masjids and Shrines mainly at Jamia Masjid Reshi Sahab, Khiram Sirhama, Kaba Marg, Dooru and Seer Hamdan while in north Kashmir Milad procession was taken out at various places.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole said that all arrangements were put in place at Hazratbal and other shrines across Kashmir for the convenience of devotees.

“All departments including Power Development Department and Health Department had made requisite arrangements and SRTC buses were kept available for devotees,” the Divisional Commissioner told KINS.

Meanwhile in a message, President Kovind said Prophet Muhammad(SAW) gave the message of love and brotherhood and led the world to the path of humanity.

He said Prophet Muhammad(SAW)  wanted to build a society based on equality and harmony.
The President asked everyone to work for the well-being of society and peace and harmony in the country according to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) compiled in the Holy Quran.

In his message, Vice President said, the Holy Prophet showed humanity the righteous path of compassion and universal brotherhood.
Naidu said Milad-un-Nabi is an occasion for family and friends to come together and pray.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted people on Milad-un-Nabi.

Modi hoped that this day furthers compassion and brotherhood all across.(KINS)

Srinagar: District Udhampur has managed to create a niche in transparent distribution of ration with almost 100% implementation of Adhar based transaction and real time monitoring through a well established ombudsman.

For ensuring ration distribution to every eligible person, District Development Commissioner,   Dr Piyush Singla has constituted a permanent committee to monitor the dispensing of the ration to the public through the FCS&CA department’s Public Distribution System.

The committee keeps tab on the functioning of  the  fair price shops (FPS) and checks compliance of  the essential parameters such as display of stock position, installation of electronic weighing balance, POS device and display board. The Adhar based transaction is another area of focus and the district has achieved almost 100 percent seeding of the ration cards.

Assistant Director FCS&CA, Arif Lone informed that during the 2019-20 fiscal, the percentage of Aadhar seeding in the district has raised fourfold. “Till March 2019, the percentage of Aadhar seeding was merely 23% and after hectic efforts and persuasion the Aadhar seeding at ration card level has been raised to 92%” he said. He added that about 2000 left out ration cards which were over and above the electronic public distribution system (EPDS) portal were updated so that ration distribution occur at genuine level.

Duplicate entries have been weeded out from the distribution portal and this initiative of the District Administration received much praise from the JKUT Administration. The district has bagged top position in the Aadhar linked ration distribution system. The AD FCS&CA department added that during COVID-19 pandemic FPS dealers made every effort to ensure the delivery of ration and other essentials to the general public at their doorstep.

He said presently, District Administration Udhampur along with the District Rajouri, is among the top performers   in the JK UT in terms of Aadhar enabled transactions thus ensuring maximum transparency and zero pilferage.

He added during the Vigilance week, the monitoring committee  conducted  inspection of all the FPS (approx.180) to check the essential parameters such as Display of stock position ,Installation of electronic weighing balance , PoS devices and display board.  He said that this initiative of District Administration Udhampur was adopted and replicated throughout the UT.

Likewise weeding of duplicate beneficiaries,  which were approximately 16000   both  under PHH and NPHH categories has provided ample scope for substitution of the genuine beneficiaries on the portal.

Similarly, in Kerosene oil rationalization, Udhampur District has achieved 109% Saturation level in terms of LPG coverage, thus reducing the Kerosene Oil allocation to zero. This, he said has totally eradicated the chances of pilferage and misappropriation of kerosene.
He said ration on wheels, a novel concept of ration distribution, introduced by the District Administration during COVID-19 pandemic, received National recognition as it ensured doorstep delivery of ration commodities and other essentials to the people amid lockdown. (KINS)

Srinagar: The Government on Friday informed that 566 new positive cases of novel Corona virus (COVID-19), 219 from Jammu division and 347 from Kashmir division, have been reported today thus taking the total number of positive cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 94330. Also 05 COVID-19 deaths have been reported; 02 from Jammu division and 03 from Kashmir Division.

Moreover, 654 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals including 277 from Jammu Division and 377 from Kashmir Division.

According to the daily Media Bulletin on novel Corona virus (Covid-19), out of 94330 positive cases, 6835  are Active Positive, 86024 have recovered and 1471 have died; 493 in Jammu division and 978 in Kashmir division.

The Bulletin further said that out of 2284588 test results available, 2190258 samples have been   tested as negative till October 30, 2020.

Till date 655274 persons have been enlisted for observation which included 16336 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 6835 in isolation and 45064 in home surveillance. Besides, 585568 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the Bulletin said that Srinagar has 19245 positive cases (including 141 cases reported today) with 1599 Active Positive, 17293 recovered (including 162 cases recovered today), 353 deaths; Baramulla has 5946 positive cases (including 66 cases reported today) with 1473 Active Positive, 4328 recovered (including 87 cases recovered today), 145 deaths; Pulwama reported 4648 positive cases (including 20 cases reported today) with 208 active positive cases, 4360 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today), 80 deaths; Kulgam has 2482 positive cases (including 03 cases reported today) with 92 Active Positive, 2344 recoveries (including 05 cases recovered today), 46 deaths; Shopian has 2200 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 95 Active Positive, 2070 recovered (including 05 cases reported today) and 35 deaths; Anantnag district has 4224 positive cases (including 12 cases reported today) with 235 Active Positive, 3915 recovered (including 20 cases recovered today), 74 deaths;  Budgam has 5974 positive cases (including 26 cases reported today) with 285 Active Positive and 5595 recovered (including 33 cases recovered today), 94 deaths; Kupwara has 4419 positive cases (including 25 cases reported today) with 411 Active Positive, 3935 recovered (including 30 cases recovered today), 73 deaths; Bandipora has 4031 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 231 Active Positive, 3754 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today), 46 deaths and  Ganderbal has 3533 positive cases (including 28 cases reported today) with 218 active positive cases, 3283 recoveries (including 17 cases recovered today) and 32 deaths.

Similarly, Jammu has 17458 positive cases (including 109 cases reported today) with 835 active positive cases, 16368 recoveries (including 122 cases recovered today), 255 deaths; Rajouri has 3190 positive cases (including 05 cases reported today) with 66 active positive cases, 3077 recovered (including 09 cases recovered today), 47 deaths; Ramban has 1590 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 74 active positive, 1503 recoveries and 13 deaths; Kathua has 2439 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 62 Active positive, 2346 recovered (including 08 cases recovered today), 31 deaths; Udhampur has 2700 positive cases (including 30 cases reported today) with 133 active positive cases, 2535 recovered (including 07 cases reported today) and 32 deaths; Samba has 2168 positive cases (including 06 cases reported today) with 264 Active Positive, 1879 recoveries and 25 deaths; Doda has 2654 positive cases (including 14 cases reported today) with 132 active positive cases, 2476 recoveries (including 14 cases recovered today), 46 deaths; Poonch has 2247 positive cases (including 08 cases reported today) with 234 active positive, 1991 recoveries (including 16 cases reported today), 22 deaths; Reasi has 1273 positive cases (including 07 cases reported today) with 83 active positive, 1182 recoveries (including 35 cases reported today) and 08 deaths while Kishtwar has 1909 positive cases (including 19 cases reported today) with 105 active positive cases and 1790 recoveries (including 66 cases recovered today) and 14 deaths.

According to the bulletin, of the total 94330 positive cases in J&K 9742 have been reported as travellers while 84588 as others.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

The bulletin added that there are 1306 COVID dedicated beds, 1170 Isolation beds with 1070 vacant beds and 136 ICU beds where 98 beds are vacant in Jammu division while there are 2345 COVID dedicated beds, 2197 Isolation beds where 1792 beds are vacant and 148 ICU beds where 124 are vacant beds in Kashmir division. There are a total of 3651 COVID dedicated beds, 3367 Isolation beds with 2862 beds  vacant and 284 ICU beds with 222 vacant beds in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Central Government is continuously monitoring the evolving situation of Covid-19 in the Union Territory and is providing all necessary support towards effective containment of the spread of Covid-19 and better clinical management of positive cases.

The government has also started free tele-consultation general OPD services by Specialists/MBBS Doctors for the residents of J&K under National Tele-consultation Service. People can avail these services from Home by registering online on web portal  https://esanjeevaniopd.in/ The services are available on Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. People can also download and install esanjeevani OPD app from google play store.

Besides, 24×7 Rapid Antigen Testing facility for COVID-19 has been started outside the emergency of GMC Hospital Jammu. The facility will be very useful for segregation of patients in emergency wing of GMC Jammu.

Meanwhile, a 24×7 COVID Control Room has been set up for redressal of the grievances related to COVID-19 positive patients admitted in the Associated Hospitals of Government Medical College, Jammu and Government Hospital, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. Patients or attendants can call at 0191– 258 5444 (Control Room), Exchange: 0191-258 2626 / 258 5542 / 258 4290 /258 4291 / 258 4292 / 258 4293/ 258 4294 for assistance.

The bulletin has informed the people that, the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 meter from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer or washing them with soap and water and following good respiratory etiquette and hygiene.

As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again explained that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so we need to be responsible for the well-being of ourselves and everyone around us. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice”.

Advisory has further exhorted upon the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent hand washing with soap and water.”

In case of any emergency people can avail free ambulance services 24×7 at their doorsteps by calling on toll-free number 108 while as pregnant women and sick infants can avail free ambulance services by dialing toll-free number 102.

People can also call on toll-free national helpline number 1075; J&K COVID-19 Helpline Numbers 0191- 2549676 (UT level Cell), 0191-2520982, 0191-2674444, 0191-2674115 (For Jammu Division), 0194-2440283 & 0194-2430581 (For Kashmir Division) for support, guidance, and response to health-related queries on Novel Corona virus Disease (COVID-19).

The bulletin has informed that the Directorate of Indian Systems of Medicine, J&K is distributing AYUSH Medicines having immunity boosting, immuno-modulator, anti-oxidant, rejuvenator, anti-stress, metabolism regulator, anti-allergic, anti-pyretic, anti-tussives, bronchodilator, etc properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department so far has provided medicine to 10.47 lakh people that include various frontline workers, senior citizens, PRIs, police/paramilitary personals and general masses. Moreover, preventive measures and Yoga therapies are also being advised to the people to take care of lifestyle/mental disorders so that physical and mental health is ensured during this pandemic.

Public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media.
People are also advised to refrain from spreading rumors and pay no heed to them at the same time.(KINS)

Asks Officers to be responsive and take comprehensive measures to minimize the difficulties of common people
Directs PDD to maintain buffer stock, Sets deadlines for replacement of transformers

Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today reviewed the winter preparedness and logistic arrangements of various departments in a meeting here at Raj Bhavan.

The Lt Governor directed the concerned officers to adopt a proactive approach to address the needs and requirements of the people; especially those living in far-flung and snow bound areas.

He asked them to be responsive and take comprehensive measures to minimize the difficulties of common people, work at grass roots level and reach out to the people to address their genuine concerns.

He also directed the officers to put committed efforts to ensure uninterrupted drinking water and power supply & timely restoration, availability of public utilities like firewood, ration, medicines and other basic amenities and essential supplies.

Necessary directions were passed to maintain sufficient stock of firewood, fuel, food grains, and medicines, especially in remote and difficult terrain areas.

The Lt Governor directed the Power Development Department to maintain the availability of buffer stock in District Head Quarters, besides ensuring proper functioning of existing transmission lines, transformers, electrical equipment, repair workshops, timely repairs and replacement of the damaged infrastructure and equipment.

After taking assessment from each DC, the Lt Governor set a deadline of 24 hours for urban areas and 48 hours for rural areas for replacement of the transformers barring difficult and inaccessible areas.

The Lt Governor stressed upon close monitoring of the functioning of the power distribution & transmission channels In order to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the harsh winter days.

While taking the preparedness review of Jal Shakti Department, the Lt Governor also set the deadline of the same day in urban areas and within the next day in rural areas for resolving the water supply and repair problems.

Laying special emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted road connectivity and proper Traffic management, the Lt Governor directed the officers to rationalize the deployment of snow clearing machinery and equipment for snow clearance from all the main and internal roads.

All the requisite arrangements must be made in advance for the stranded passengers on the national highway and other important district and town roads, besides putting a check on unnecessary and unruly movements on the national highway for smooth vehicular movement, he added.

The Lt Governor directed the concerned officers to timely issue weather advisories and make every necessary emergency facility available to render critical help in any contingent situation.
He also passed directions for setting up of control rooms in every District Head Quarters and the DCs were directed to monitor and to resolve grievances of the people pertaining to power, water, essential supplies, health services, road connectivity, and emergency evacuation/rescue.

The Lt Governor asked the Head of Departments to closely monitor the winter preparations of their respective departments and directed all the departments to work in a synchronized manner and put in dedicated efforts to avoid any inconvenience to the people of J&K by putting in place a much comprehensive and viable winter preparedness mechanism.

The Lt Governor also took stock of the implementation of the directions passed in the previous meetings.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisors to the Lt Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, and Information Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Sh. M Raju, Secretary to the Government, Jal Shakti Department; Sh. Simrandeep Singh, Special Secretary to the Government, Department of DMRR&R; Sh. Mohammad Aijaz, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited; Deputy Commissioners; Chief Engineers and other senior officers participated in the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.

Sh. SJM Gillani, ADGP (Coordination) was also present during the meeting.(KINS)

Indian soldiers are living in tents in sub-zero conditions, claims former BJP Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang.

Chinese troops have further transgressed into Indian territory and occupied positions in Finger 2 and 3 of the north bank of Pangong Tso (lake), former BJP Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang, who represented Ladakh, has claimed .

Mr. Chhewang said he had received information from locals living in forward areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh that Indian soldiers were living in tents and it was not adequate for them in sub-zero conditions.

The stand-off

India and China have been engaged in a military stand-off in Eastern Ladakh for the past five months.

Mr. Chhewang told The Hindu, “The border situation is critical. The Chinese troops have not only further transgressed into our areas but they have also occupied prominent positions in Finger 2 and 3 areas of Pangong Tso, even Hot Springs area they have not fully vacated… this is what we have come to know from locals.”

As reported earlier by The Hindu, China has ingressed about 8 km in the Finger area and India not been able to patrol beyond Finger 4 since April last week, when China amassed troops in several pockets along the LAC. Earlier, Indian troops could patrol up to Finger 8. The other areas where a worrying build-up has been seen are the Depsang plains, Galwan, Gogra-Hot Springs and the south bank of Pangong Tso in Chushul where Indian troops are in a dominating position.

“The soldiers are put up in tents; this is not acceptable. If despite several negotiations, the government is not able to convince the Chinese to withdraw, then adequate shelter should be provided to the soldiers,” he said.

Meeting with Amit Shah

Mr. Chhewang led a delegation to Delhi in September when he met Home Minister Amit Shah to demand the Union Territory’s (UT) inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. He said the Centre assured them that any changes in land laws in Ladakh would be held in consultation with leaders.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified new land laws for the UT of Jammu and Kashmir allowing anyone from other parts of the country to purchase land there.

Mr. Chhewang said, “The gazette notification with regard to land in Jammu and Kashmir has created lot of confusion here in Ladakh. But we hope that the Home Ministry will not issue such a notification for the Ladakh UT, as Amit Shah ji has categorically given an assurance to the Ladakh delegation headed by veteran leaders to provide all necessary constitutional safeguard during the course of our discussion in Delhi. We are confident that the Home Ministry will accept our demand for including UT of Ladakh under Sixth Schedule.”

The Sixth Schedule protects tribal populations and provides autonomy to the communities through the creation of autonomous development councils that can frame laws on land, public health, agriculture etc. As of now, 10 autonomous councils exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Two months ago, People’s Movement, a group comprising all political parties and the influential Buddhist association, was formed in Ladakh to strongly demand the inclusion in the Sixth Schedule and seek protection from outsiders.

The group had decided to boycott the recently concluded autonomous council elections in Leh after the delegation was assured that “all issues related to language, demography, ethnicity, land and jobs will be considered positively/ taken care of.”

Mr. Chhewang said, “The BJP was able to get only a simple majority in the elections, we have a strong Opposition now. They should empower the nationalist forces. We are yet to get a call from the Centre for the proposed meeting”.

MHA statement

The MHA said in a statement on September 27 that a “dialogue between a larger Ladakhi delegation comprising representatives from Leh and Kargil districts under the aegis of the People’s Movement for constitutional safeguard under the Sixth Schedule and the Home Ministry would commence after 15 days of the culmination of LAHDC [Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council], Leh elections. Any decision so reached in this connection would be in consultation with the representatives from Leh and Kargil.”

The election results were announced on October 26 and the BJP bagged 15 seats, down from 17 in 2015, while the Congress won nine. It was the first-ever polls conducted for the council since Ladakh was carved out as a UT last year.

With inputs from The Hindu

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Kashmir Today staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Incident did not take place in my jurisdiction claims, DC Kulgam

Srinagar: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor R R Bhatnagar Friday said the security of political workers was a top priority of the government but are ascertaining the facts what led to the killing of three BJP workers.

“The administration is providing security to political workers in Kashmir. But we are still collecting the details what led to the killings of three BJP workers. The government wants to ensure to provide all security to political workers here,” Bhatnagar told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS). His statement comes after BJP’s senior leader Sofi Yusuf claimed that three BJP leaders were killed due to security lapse and demanded suspension of DC and SSP Kulgam.

On Thursday evening three BJP workers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Y K Pora area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

The slain BJP workers were identified as Yuva Morcha General Secretary Kulgam, Fida Hussain Itoo, Umar Hajjam-both residents of Y K Pora Qazigund and Haroron Beigh of Sopat area of Qazigund.

DC Kulgam Showkat Aijaz claimed that the incident did not take place in his jurisdiction. “I refused allegations that there was any security lapse on my part,” Aijaz told news agency KINS.
While SSP Kulgam said he was busy and will talk later on this issue.

Senior BJP leader Sofi Yusuf claimed that attacks on BJP workers showed frustration of Pakistan and militants. “These attacks won’t weaken us. The militancy is going to end here soon,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

At the same time, Yusuf claimed that DC and SSP Kulgam were “responsible” for these killings.

“These killings took place because of carelessness of DC Kulgam and SSP Kulgam. They were told to keep workers on clusters but there are no vehicles, fuel and no security. Both are arrogant officers,” he claimed.

He said BJP won’t participate in any political activity or in election till DC and SP Kulgam are suspended. “These killings took place because of security failure. The SSP is not even picking up our workers calls. He does not even listen to DGP, Divisional Commissioner and IGP Kashmir,” he added. (KINS)

They are responsible for killing of our 3 party workers

Srinagar: A day after killing of three BJP workers, Kashmir BJP unit Friday demanded resignation of DC and SSP Kulgam claiming they were “responsbile” for their killings.

On Thursday evening three BJP workers were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Y K Pora area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

The slain BJP workers were identified as Yuva Morcha General Secretary Kulgam, Fida Hussain Itoo, Umar Hajjam-both residents of Y K Pora Qazigund and Haroron Beigh of Sopat area of Qazigund.

Senior BJP leader Sofi Yusuf claimed that attacks on BJP workers showed frustration of Pakistan and militants. “These attacks won’t weaken us. The militancy is going to end here soon,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).

At the same time, Yusuf claimed that DC and SSP Kulgam were “responsible” for these killings.

“These killings took place because of carelessness of DC Kulgam and SSP Kulgam. They were told to keep workers on clusters but there are no vehicles, fuel and no security. Both are arrogant officers,” he said.

He said BJP won’t participate in any political activity or in election till DC and SSP Kulgam are suspended. “These killings took place because of security failure. The SSP is not even picking up our workers calls. He does not even listen to DGP, Divisional Commissioner and IGP Kashmir,” he added.