Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has asserted that the recent killing of two migrant laborers from Chhattisgarh in Kulgam district was a direct consequence of a security lapse. She called for a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need to understand how such attacks can occur despite a significant security presence, particularly in light of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.
Speaking to reporters, Mufti stated, “I feel this cycle must stop. Despite the heavy security presence, which causes so much agony to the locals, such incidents happen. In my view, there was a lapse in security somewhere.” She directed her remarks towards the Lieutenant Governor administration, which oversees law and order in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, urging them to scrutinize the circumstances that led to the attack. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the PDP chief questioned the efficacy of the security measures in place, asking, “Why are such incidents happening despite so much security due to the Yatra? The government needs to look into where the lapse happened. How could the militants come in despite the presence of the Army, CRPF and police, and shoot two unarmed people dead?”
Mufti expressed her profound distress over the killings, noting that words were insufficient to condemn the act. She highlighted the plight of the victims, who travel from distant places to earn a livelihood and support their families. “These people come from far away to earn a living, to feed their family. They are human beings just like us. Why do people come from so far? Because perhaps there are no job opportunities back home and they find work here in Kashmir,” she remarked, underscoring the economic motivations that drive migrant workers to the region.
The former Chief Minister also issued a stern warning against using the Kulgam incident as a pretext to harass innocent civilians. She drew a parallel to a recent incident where a police constable was killed, leading to the detention of numerous individuals branded as over-ground workers (OGWs). She recounted instances of shopkeepers being questioned and an elderly man being detained for an extended period under the OGW label. “The Kulgam incident should not become another excuse for the security agencies and police to harass ordinary Kashmiris who have nothing to do with it,” Mufti urged.
The incident of the constable’s killing occurred on July 22, when J&K Police head constable Ashiq Hussain was fatally shot by a lone terrorist in the Lal Chowk area of Anantnag while he was on duty for the Amarnath Yatra. Mufti conveyed that ordinary residents of Kashmir feel ashamed and deeply saddened by such attacks, emphasizing that their own community members often face repercussions when tensions rise. She pointed out that Kashmiri students study in other states and shawl vendors travel across the country, making them vulnerable to backlash. “Our children go to other states to study, while our shawl vendors travel across the country. They are the ones who face the brunt of such tension. We would never want something like this to happen,” she concluded.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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