JAMMU, Jun 15 (KNO) : Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has expressed great concern over deteriorating security situation in Kashmir Valley in the wake of killing of veteran journalist Shujaat Bukhari and abduction and killing of an army personal and the continued terrorist attacks during unilateral ceasefire in the holy month of Ramzan.
Expressing grave concern over the killing of a leading journalist in the heart of Srinagar City last evening and the abduction and killing of an army personal Aurangzeb, JKPCC Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said that the continued attacks by militants during unilateral ceasefire in the holy month of Ramadan is a indication of very grim situation in the Kashmir Valley. He said that the death of Shujaat Bukhari is a great loss to the media fraternity and the intellectual class in the Kashmir Valley, especially those who believe in debate and dialogue as means of resolution of all outstanding issues in democracy.
The forces of violence who are interested to perpetuate ongoing situation should be behind the assassination of Bukhari. Sharma expressed deep shock and grief and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Bukhari family on behalf of rank and file of the party and prayed for peace to the departed soul. He also expressed grief and sorrow over the abduction and killing of Army personal who was proceeding on leave to celebrate Eid with family. JKPCC has accused Central government of mishandling of the Kashmir situation and fail to contain and eliminate terrorism and to restore peace. Coming down heavily on state government, JKPCC said that it has failed in its primary duties to maintain law and order and to ensure the safety and security of common people and thus has lost moral right to continue in office in the wake of rising militancy and continued killings of common citizen and large number of security personnel.
While expressing shock and anguish over the dastardly killing of veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir Editor-in-Chief Syed Shujaat Bukhari, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami described it a huge loss not only to the journalist fraternity but a true voice of sanity and reason as well. In his condolence message, he said Bukhari was a deep professional, a powerful voice and his death is a huge loss to the democratic ethos. This is a grave attack on press freedom but also an assault on voices of sanity and reason and no words of condemnation are enough for such brutal killing. He was targeted for being a rare voice of moderation and reason. Press freedom is distinctly diminishing and to have an opinion today - especially one that does not fit into the dominant political narrative - is to be in the line of danger.
Killing journalists will not further the cause of any side but will perpetuate the crisis further. He expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family especially the parents, wife and children of late Bukhari. Condemning killing of Rising Kashmir Editor, Shujat Bukhari, Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader from Jammu West Puneet Singh Jamwal today said that this is an attack on freedom of press which is aimed at silencing sane voices that had been placing before their readers facts with ethics and by displaying highest standards of journalism. In his condolence message, Puneet Singh Jamwal said Shujat Bukhari who started his career from Kashmir Times has also worked with Indian Express and then The Hindu before coming out with Rising Kashmir. Practicing free and fearless journalism, Shujaat Bukhari also brought to the foreground many young journalists by providing them the opportunities to work in Rising Kashmir.
He was quite instrumental in holding debates and seminars on various aspects of life and issues concerning people of Kashmir. A pioneer in journalism and authority on Kashmir, Shujaat Bukhari was a widely travelled editor who had placed before the world his view point on Jammu and Kashmir. In his death the state lost an able editor, a philanthropist and a good human being. He further said that Shujaat Bukhari being a philanthropist has also helped rescue teams in saving lives of many people during Kashmir floods. Shujaat was leading simple life and had many friends in other parts of the country. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and courage to family members for bearing this irreparable loss.
Expressing his condolences with staff and management of Rising Kashmir, Puneet hoped that they will continue the flame of fearless journalism burning even after they loss. He said continuing journalism with ethics and highlighting plight of common masses through the columns of Rising Kashmir will be real tribute to Shujaat Bukhari. General Council Members of Adbee Markaz Kamraz (AMK) led by its President Farooq Rafi Abadi also condoled the sad demise of renowned journalist, Scholar, writer Dr Syed Shujaat Bukhari, who was assassinated by unidentified gun man at press colony Srinagar yesterday evening when he was coming out from his office to attend an Iftaar Party. The Adbee Markaz Kamraz expressed that this is an irreparable loss, not only for the journalism and literary world but also great loss to the entire Valley of Kashmir. It is in place to mention that Dr. Syed Shujat Bukhari has served as president of Adbee Markaz Kamraz, which is the biggest Literary Organization in the state of J&K, for about five years. It is because of his strenuous efforts that Kashmiri Language has been introduced as a compulsory subject for class 9th and 10th in J&K State.
It is prayed that Allah may grant JANNAH to the departed soul. The members of Adbee Markaz Kamraz also pray for patience (Sabr-i-Jameel) for the bereaved family. KPSS President Sanjay Kumar Tikoo expressed shock over killing of Rising Kashmir Editor-in-Chief Syed Shujat Bukhari by unknown armed persons at Press Enclave today. A well known Senior Journalist and a kind hearted person who was always there at the time of distress. A fearless person is silenced by the persons who do not want sane voices to exist in Kashmir Valley. He further expressed deep heart condolences and prayed to the God to grace the departed soul with Jannat-ul- Firdous and give courage to the family member’s to bear this loss. Strongly condemning the brutal killing of senior journalist and Chief editor “Daily Rising Kashmir” Syed Shujaat Bukhari in a cowardly attack by unknown militants last evening during Iftaar Time, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Coordinator Jammu Province Choudhary Abdul Hamid has termed a big loss to not only the media fraternity but the state in particular.
Chairing a condolence meeting convened at Party Office here today while paying glowing tributes to Bukhari, Choudhary said he was a voice of moderation and a courageous, big hearted editor who always highlighted the issues with true journalism and honesty. He fought through his columns and debates for the people of the state, but Alas! This true voice has been silenced by gruesome attackers who had no faith on humanity. Choudhary said and highlighted his contribution to freedom of expression, democracy and peace. Expressing condolences to Bukhari family, Choudhary prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
General Secretaries Mehboob Iqbal, Ved Mahajan, Secretary Jatinder Bhat, Senior Leader S Trilok Singh Bajwa, Syed Asgar Ali, Th Falail Singh, Daman Bhasin, Abdul Rashid Malik, Ch Hussain Ali Wafa, Bharat Bushan Gupta, Vijaya Dogra Katoch, Surjeet Kour , Romesh Koul,, Satpal Singh Charak, Maj Gen R S Jamwal, Ashok Jogi, R K Bali, Sukhvinder Singh, Chatter Singh Saini, Vikas Bhatti, Ranbir Singh Manga, Ch Shafi Cheechi, District Presidents, Rajinder Singh Manhas, Faqir Chand Baghat, Dr Harmesh Salathia, S Surinder Singh, Geeta Thakur, Gurdeep Kour, Gurmeet Pandey, R K Pardesi, S K Raina, Amreek Singh Reen, Bachan Lal, Choudhary Rafiq, Parvez Wafa Khan, Varinder Singh Sonu, Neeraj Chandhel, and others.
They also prayed for eternal peace to departed soul and conveyed their sympathies with the bereaved family. Young Social Activist and President All JK National Health Mission Employees Association Doda, Faizan A Tramboo has conveyed shock and grief on the gruesome killing of Syed Shujaat Bukhari (Editor in Chief Rising Kashmir) who was shot dead by some unidentified gunmen near Press Colony in Srinagar yesterday. In his condolence message, Faizan A Tramboo described the killing of Bukhari as a big loss to the people of J&K particularly to media fraternity and termed the incident as a cowardly and shameful act. He further expressed his solidarity with the bereaved family on such an irreparable loss and prayed to Allah for eternal peace to the departed soul.
He also added that this is not the first ever case, as in past as well there have been score of cases of assault and attacks on journalists and such kind of acts is a direct attack on the forth pillar of democracy which need to be secured from such happenings. He further urged the state government and concerned authorities to initiate a high level probe in this gruesome murder to unravel those behind the killing besides apprehend the culprits and bring them to book describing the killing as an act of wickedness. Bhartiya Janata Party ( BJP) State Spokesman Altaf Thakur while strongly condemning the killing of senior journalist and Editor in Chief of daily Rising Kashmir stated that the attack was cowardice and barbaric in all forms and it has once again been proved that terror has no religion. Thakur in his condolence message said that Bukhari was a veteran journalist who always worked to bring truth to the fore and never compromised with the facts while discharging his duties. He said attacking people like Bukhari at Press Colony has shattered entire journalist fraternity as they have lost the doyen of journalism who remained on the forefront to press for the issues of journalistic fraternity.
He said BJP stands with the bereaved family which includes two small children of Shujaat, in this hour of grief and shock and prays to Almighty to grant highest standards to the slain in heaven. BJP' Kashmir unit expresses solidarity with the entire .media fraternity in this hour of shock and grief. National Panthers Party (NPP) Chief Patron Prof Bhim Singh also expressed deep shock and condolences on the most inhuman act of brutal murder of a veteran, fearless and undaunted journalist who was brutally gunned down at the doorsteps of his office in the heart of Srinagar City. He also expressed shock on his two security personnels namely, Abdul Hamid & Mohammad Hameed who were also brutally gunned down by the terrorists. He expressed shock on the total failure of the security system as the killers of Shujaat Bukhari and his two PSOs could not be identified even detected by anybody. He described this brutal killing of this senior journalist and fearless writer as a brutal murder and unforgivable. He was editing ‘Rising Kashmir’ in Srinagar City for several years with strong will and courage. Janta Dal United (JDU) State President G M Shaheen strongly condemning the killing of senior journalist and Editor in Chief of daily Rising Kashmir stated that the attack was cowardice and barbaric in all forms and it has once again been proved that terror has no religion. G M Shaheen in his condolence message said attacking people like Bukhari at Press Colony has shattered entire journalist fraternity as they have lost the doyen of journalism who remained on the forefront to press for the issues of journalistic fraternity. He further said that JDU Party stands with the bereaved family which includes two small children of Shujaat, in this hour of grief and shock and prays to Almighty to grant highest standards to the slain in heaven. He further expressed solidarity with the entire media fraternity in this hour of shock and grief. Jammu Muslim Front (JMF) Chairman Shujazaffar expressed deep shock and grief and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved Bukhari family on behalf of rank and file of the party and prayed for peace to the departed soul. He further described the killing of Bukhari as a big loss to the people of J&K particularly to media fraternity and termed the incident as a cowardly and shameful act. He also expressed his solidarity with the bereaved family on such an irreparable loss and prayed to Allah for eternal peace to the departed soul.