By NAK,
Jammu : Notwithstanding the claims of the security agencies of providing fool proof security to the political leaders and workers in the Kashmir valley, they remain the soft targets of the militants.
After blowing of the election trumpet in the trouble torn state of Jammu & Kashmir, the risk on the lives of the politicians have further increased. As these leaders have to move to and fro from one area to the other in their respective constituencies, these leaders became easy targets of the militants.
However, the high profile leaders of the major political parties in the state are though provided with fool proof security arrangements, the leaders of less known parties and the Independent candidates who prefer to join the election fray on the all time assurance of free and fair polls are ignored. They are provided with two to three PSOs or even less on the mercy of the militants.
If one goes by the figures of past one and a half year, at-least a dozen political leaders and workers were targeted by the militants in different areas of Kashmir valley.
Official sources told News Agency of Kashmir that on April 29, 2007 evening at Ganderbal, militants hurled a grenade towards the residence of Ghulam Mohammad Nabi Lone at Bamoora, Ganderbal, which exploded on the rooftop of the guardroom. SPO Abdul Rashid functioning as the Sentry sustained minor injuries. Ghulam Mohammad Nabi Lone was the Chairman of the Municipal Committee, Ganderbal as well as the Zonal President of PDP.
On May 23, 2007, unknown militants fired upon a PDP activist Abdul Ahad Bhat son of Ghulam Qadir of Nunmai in the village at Anantnag, resulting in injuries to his leg. He was shifted to the hospital.
On June 4, 2007 evening, militants fired upon the house of District president of Congress Mohammad Shafi Banday son of Abdul Majid Banday of Shopian at Pulwama. The CRPF personnel posted at his residence returned the fire and in the exchange of fire, one CRPF jawan sustained injuries.
On July 9, 2007 militants hurled two hand grenades at Kralgund (Handwara) where NC president Omar Abdullah was addressing a public meeting. The incident, however, took place after people had already left the area. The grenade exploded about 300 feet away from the house of Ghulam Rasool where Omar Abdullah and other workers were taking tea. Ghulam Rasool is an NC worker. Dozen persons including three security personnel and one SPO sustained splinter injuries.
On July 31, 2007 at around 2045 hours, unidentified persons lobbed a grenade outside the perimeter wall of the house of Farooq Bhatt who is the Deputy Chairman of Hurriyat Conference at Baramulla. No loss to life or property was reported.
On Aug 8, 2007 at around 1230 hours, two to three unidentified ultras fired 3 to 4 bursts from a high ground on the eastern side of the road from approximate distance of 150-200 meters on the fleet of vehicles of senior PDP leader and MLA of Watchi Khalil Mohammad Naikoo at Pulwama. He was returning after addressing a political gathering at Chakcholan Shopian and was moving towards Muradpur, in a bullet proof Ambassador Car.
On Aug 23, 2007 at around 2300hours, unidentified persons shot dead a National Conference worker Abdul Majid Gujjari son of Ghulam Ahmed Gujjari of Gojri Mohalla Batapur (Police Station Handwara), Magam at Kupwara.
On Dec 25, 2007 militants fired upon the residential guard of Awami League leader Mohammad Ramzan at Mugi Marge, Zainapora Pulwama. His guards fired in retaliation. No harm was caused and the assailants managed to escape.
On Apr 2, 2008 during the intervening night of Apr 1 and 2, 2008, militants barged into the house of Mohammad Amin Mughal, son of Feroz-ud-Din at Kawari Sever, Khurhama Kupwara and shot him dead. The deceased was the Sarpanch of the area.
On Aug 1, 2008 in the evening ultras fired upon the vehicle of Showkat Ahmed Andrabi alias Gayour (National Conference District Youth President) of Ratnipora Pulwama, when he was on way to Srinagar in his vehicle near villages Pahloo and Kakpora. His PSO returned fire without any harm on both sides.
On September 25, 2008 unidentified assailants shot dead Gulam Mohammad Mir, 45, of Behrampora, Zonal President, PDP, when he was moving out of Masjid after afternoon prayers (Nimaz) at Baramulla.
It is high time for the present government, security agencies and Election Commission of India to think and provided adequate security to the political leaders in valley.