Two Migrant Labourers Shot Dead In Kulgam, Farooq Abdullah And Mirwaiz Demand Justice

Political and religious leaders across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday strongly condemned the killing of two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh in a terrorist attack in Kulgam district, describing the incident as an act of "utter inhumanity" and calling for those responsible to be brought to justice. The attack, which targeted workers at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of south Kashmir's Devsar region, has renewed concerns over the safety of non-local labourers working in the Valley.

The victims, identified as Deepak Ratray and Bopinder, both in their 20s, were attacked late on Friday evening while working at the brick kiln. According to officials, Ratray succumbed to his injuries before he could be shifted to a hospital. Bopinder was initially admitted to the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag before being referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, where he later died during treatment. Security forces launched an investigation and intensified searches in the area following the attack.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference issued a statement on behalf of party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, condemning the killings in the strongest terms. In a post on X, the party said the leadership "unequivocally" condemned the barbaric attack on the two non-local labourers. The party also expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, stating that targeting vulnerable workers who had travelled far from home to earn a livelihood was an act of "utter inhumanity" that deserved the strongest condemnation.

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Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased labourer, according to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The financial assistance is intended to provide immediate support to the families, who lost their primary earners in the attack. The government has assured that all necessary assistance will be extended to the victims' families while security agencies continue efforts to identify and apprehend those behind the killings.

Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq joined other leaders in condemning the attack, while CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA M.Y. Tarigami described the killings as a barbaric act. Tarigami said migrant workers travel thousands of kilometres to earn an honest living and support their families, and attacking them amounted to sheer brutality. He stressed that such violence was unacceptable and urged authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.

The attack has once again highlighted the security challenges facing migrant workers in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly those employed in construction, brick kilns, and other labour-intensive sectors. Over the years, non-local workers have occasionally been targeted by terrorists seeking to spread fear and disrupt normalcy in the region. Political leaders across party lines have repeatedly maintained that such attacks are aimed at undermining peace and economic activity in the Union Territory. As investigations continue, security has been heightened in vulnerable areas, while officials have reiterated their commitment to protecting civilians and ensuring that those responsible for the Kulgam attack face the full force of the law.

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