Vulnerable non-local workers in Kashmir are being moved to safer installations like police stations and army camps, for protection after several workers were killed in Kashmir by militants in the past two weeks, media reported on Monday.
The reports added that, an order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir police chief appeared on the various section of the media, where it was ordered to move all migrant workers to nearby camps and police stations for their safety.
The order was later deemed as fake by the Police, however, local Journalists in Kashmir reported that in several areas such movement was seen were non-locals were shifted to safer places.
Non-local residents being shifted to safer places in and arround Sopore town. The move comes soon after the killing of two non-local labourers at Southern district of kulgam Kashmir yesterday. 12 civilians killed so far in October in similar attacks pic.twitter.com/K8p8Mafjmx
— Mohammad Abu Bakar (@journoabubakar) October 18, 2021
12 non-local laborers were killed in Kashmir in the past two weeks and in view of the growing security concerns, many of them have started leaving Kashmir.
Reports of non-local workers leaving from #Kashmir after two labourers were shot dead today in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Many have been shifted to secure locations by authorities in various districts. pic.twitter.com/x0ESpygZnq
— Fahad Shah (@pzfahad) October 17, 2021
The fresh killings have evoked strong criticism and condemnation from the opposition and the local politicians in Jammu and Kashmir.
Former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti wrote on Twitter: “Strongly condemn today’s attack on a street vendor who sadly succumbed. Such unfortunate incidents only reinforce the immediate need to reach out to the people of J&K by initiating a constructive dialogue.”
“An innocent civilian on his way home to his wife & kids, a non local street vendor eking out a living or troops in Poonch .None of these people deserved to die. One wonders what will it take for GOI to realise that its policies have been a monumental failure in J&K & at what cost?” she said in another tweet.
J&K National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah also condemned the two attacks.
Another day, another dose of bad news from the valley. Two civilians, both non-local, shot and killed in a terror attack in Kulgam district of South Kashmir. I (un)reservedly condemn this attack & pray for the souls of the Raja & Jogindar Reshi Dev.
In wake of the attacks, police have launched a massive manhunt to nab the culprits. Reports say police detained around 700 people across the Union Territory for alleged links with separatists.
The security forces have also intensified anti-terror operations. According to the police, 13 terrorists have been killed over the past one week.
“13 terrorists have been killed in nine encounters after civilian killings. We have killed three out of five terrorists in Srinagar in less than 24 hours,” Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar has said.
(With inputs from media reports)
