“Killing of Parihar brothers in Kishtwar ”
Why every up-growing Socio Political Activist targeted in Kishtwar ?
By SHAFQAT SHAHEEN SHEIKH
As everyone is aware about the killing of Parihar brothers in Kishtwar on 01 Nov when they were on its way back to home , after closing their shop located opposite Old DC Office Kishtwar . It was very sad and shocking incident that happened on 01 Nov evening , when Ajeet Parihar and Anil Parihar was killed by unidentified gunmen just 500mtrs away from their home .
Though Ajeet Parihar became prey of this tragedy as the unidentified gunmen were targeting Anil Parihar , who happens to be BJP State Gen Secretary Jammu and Kashmir . The killing of Parihar brothers raises several questions over police and civil administration and even on various political leaders as yet all are clueless as no one had been arrested yet .
Anil Parihar was young and dynamic upgrowed leader and raised various developmental issues during past but the killing of Anil Parihar is only to target those who raise his head against injustice .
From past after 1947 , Kishtwar district witnessed various ups and downs and several socio-political activists sacrifices their lives in keeping torch of brotherhood glowing as Kishtwar witnesses majority of Hindu Muslim community and both are keeping this tradition alive from several decades .
In Kishtwar , this town witnesses communal riots during 2008 and 2013 but after all the tradition of brotherhood and humanity was kept alive by general masses .
Anil Parihar Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and his brother were shot dead by terrorists in the communally-sensitive Kishtwar district on 01 Nov night, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir administration to impose curfew and call out the Army as people staged angry protests and started manhandling senior police personnel, officials said.
BJP State Secretary Anil Parihar, 52, and his brother Ajeet Parihar, 55, were returning home from their shop when they were fired upon from close range at a dark, narrow lane leading to their house as this was the first such political killing in Jammu region in recent years.
The assailants were apparently waiting for the brothers to return home and used pistols to target them.
Immediately after the attack, people started assembling outside the residence of Parihar and refused entry of senior police officers, who were even manhandled.
Kishtwar District Magistrate Angrez Singh Rana made a request to call out the Army in the town and its adjoining areas to control the internal security situation arisen due to ‘assassination of Anil Parihar and Ajeet Praihar by some militants’. Rana took the decision as he apprehended that violence might erupt and thus result in law and order problem, endangering life and property of citizens of Kistwar town.
It’s time to ask “Why is every up-growing Political Leader or Social Activist targeted ” as few days back after this killing , Source informed , that Mohan Lal Bhandari is one among those who was killed by unknown gunmen in 2006 . Mohan Lal Bhandari was one of hardworking socio political activist who two times contest Assembly Election from Inderwal constituency was targeted and killed that raises questions again and again when it will stopped and when will we moves free across Kishtwar district . It was time when Mohan Lal Bhandari was serving society as best social activist across Kishtwar district and particularly peoples of Inderwal.
Though it is worth to mention that Kishtwar district witnesses various communal riots in Padder area and in Kishtwar during 2013 where someone was set on fire and crores property belonging to both communities was damaged . But it’s matter of harmony and brotherhood , both communities across Kishtwar town fights against terrorism to save long decades peace in town .
The recent killing of Parihar brothers in Kishtwar went viral on National Media and investigation was handed over to National Investigation Agency Delhi as team of NIA is still investigating in this case despite earlier case was being investigated by SIT constituted by Jammu Kashmir District Police Kishtwar .
Kishtwar is communally sensitive and the district had witnessed communal clashes in the past as well. Terrorists have in the past attempted to create communal tension in the region by targeting Hindu community, especially in higher reaches. In 2001, the terrorists killed 17 Hindu nomads.
The killings of Parihar brothers drew severe condemnation from all quarters.
“Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed shock and pain over the killings, saying the police will leave no stone unturned to bring perpetrators of the crime to justice. ‘Shocked and pained by the killing of J&K State BJP leader Anil Parihar and his brother. My heart goes out to the bereaved family’.
The Home Minister also spoke to K Vijay Kumar, the Advisor to the Jammu and Kashmir Governor and took stock of the incident. ‘Spoke to Advisor to J&K Governor Sh Vijay Kumar regarding the incident. The police will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice’.
BJP President Amit Shah said the attack was ‘a cowardly act that shames humanity’. ‘Just got the tragic news of killing of Shri Anil Parihar, Secretary @BJP4JnK, and his brother by terrorists in Kishtwar. This is a cowardly act that shames humanity. I grieve the death of my valued colleague and pray that God gives his family strength to bear this untimely loss,’ Shah tweeted.
In a tweet, Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it was a ‘very sad news’ and offered condolences to the families of Parihar brothers. ‘Very sad news. My condolences to Anil and Ajit Parihar’s family and colleagues. May their souls rest in peace’.
BJP General Secretary Org Ashok Koul condemned the attack and called for punishment to the culprits involved in it.
Communist Party of India-Marxist MLA M Y Tarigami and State Congress president Gulam Ahmed Mir also condemned the killings of the BJP leader and his brother. Mir termed the attack “barbaric and unfortunate” and pointed towards the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
National Conference’s Jammu province chief Devender Rana strongly condemned the killings as ‘barbaric, inhuman and most unfortunate’.
“Violence has no place in a civilised society,” Rana said and hoped that the people will unitedly face the challenge posed by elements inimical to peace and tranquillity.
“Condemning this shocking incident , Junaid Malik , A renowned Socio Political Activist wrotes “No words to condemn the dastardly act of killing of two brothers Anil Parihar State Secretary BJP and Ajit Parihar by unknown gunmen in Kishtwar. Kishtwar has been worst victim of these political killings since decades and this menace has once again popped its head. This should be enquired and the killers be brought to justice. Whosoever has killed these innocent brothers who were sustaining their families by the sweat of their brow and business will rot in hell. I still remember how we as kids used to buy books, pens and later news paper from their shop. Infact they were the first to make available nationalized newspapers and magazines for the readers and students in our town. Rest in peace the noble souls”.
After two months of this barbic incident , all are clueless and no one stands responsible for toward this killing . On the killing of Parihar brothers State Government was holding panchayat polls that poses the killing to divert the voters against devise policies . But it’s very unfortunate that State Government fails on every nook and corner in arresting the culprits rather they condemned the killing and mourn demise for week time rest no one comes forward to solve this case .
Now the involvement of terrorists with their accomplices in the dual murder further compliments and corroborates that the motive was to instill fear in the people to keep them away from panchayat elections. Let Police and Investigating agencies work on this angle as well as to who was supposed to be benefited by this gruesome and dastardly killings;those who engage in democratic exercise to keep the system going or those who run with the hare and hound with the hunter.
Question still arises , Why is every upgrowing Socio Political Activist targeted and killed in Kishtwar and when will be this stopped ? it is yet to be mentioned ….
{ The author is Freelance Journalist Columnist and Human Right Activist from Jammu and Kashmir and can be reached at shafqatshaheensheikh@gmail.com 09419974577 }.
