Srinagar, Aug 01 (KNO): Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday termed the killing of two migrant labourers in Kulgam as ‘murder of humanity,’ saying no words were enough to condemn the gruesome terror attack.
He also accused Pakistan-backed terrorists of targeting innocent civilians. He urged security forces to dismantle the entire terror ecosystem operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to reporters after meeting the bereaved family, Sharma, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said, “The incident that took place in Kulgam's Killam area is extremely painful and heartbreaking. These labourers had come here to feed their families and raise their children. They had no enmity with anyone. These Pakistan-backed cowards have committed not just the murder of innocent people but the murder of humanity itself,” he said.
Referring to the victims’ families, Sharma said the sight of helpless children deeply moved him.
“A one-and-a-half-year-old child saw his father being killed before his eyes. What kind of jihad is this? It is extremely unfortunate. No amount of condemnation is enough for such a barbaric act. My heart cried when I saw those helpless children and grieving family members,” he said.
Sharma said he had spoken to the family members of the victims as well as the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, who, he said, assured all possible assistance to the bereaved families.
“The Jammu and Kashmir government will also provide support. No amount of compensation can replace a human life because life is priceless, but every effort must be made to rehabilitate the affected families,” he added.
Calling for decisive action against terrorism, Sharma said security forces must not only eliminate terrorists but also dismantle the entire support structure behind them.
“I believe the entire ecosystem supporting terrorism must be exposed and destroyed. The security forces are investigating, and the complete network behind such acts must be brought to light so that such incidents do not recur,” he said.
The BJP leader also took exception to National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah’s remarks linking the Kulgam terror attack with the demand for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
“Dr Farooq Abdullah said such attacks take place whenever statehood is demanded. If he himself says he does not know who carried out the attack, then why make such statements? What exactly does he want to convey? Does he want to support terrorism or suggest something else? He must first clarify his remarks,” Sharma said.
He said linking terrorism with the issue of statehood is ‘strange and unacceptable.’
“Statehood is a matter to be decided by the Parliament of India. Connecting terrorist incidents with the demand for statehood is beyond understanding. Terrorism should never be politicised,” he said.
LoP Sharma said there should be a fair and thorough investigation into the incident and asserted that no one should interfere in the probe.
“Let the investigation proceed honestly. Nobody should come forward to shield those who are found involved. Whenever security forces act, some people immediately begin defending suspects. The entire structure and ecosystem backing terrorism must be exposed, and only then can this menace be uprooted,” he added. — (KNO)