Kashmiri Pandit killing: Forces given free hand to deal with terrorists, says LG

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit by terrorists on Sunday in first such attack this year and said his administration has given a free hand to security forces to deal with terroristsActivists of Shiv Sena UBT staged an antiPakistan and antiterrorist protest to denounce the killing while the Congress Jammu and Kashmir unit said the Centre should take adequate measures to stop targeted killings and focus on saving precious lives rather than befooling people by claiming return of normalcy in the valleySanjay Sharma 40 who worked as an ATM guard was shot dead by terrorists at pointblank range in the Achan area of south Kashmirs Pulwama district on SundayCondemning the attack the Lt Governor said the administration is standing strong with the bereaved familyMy heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family The administration has given a free hand to the security forces to deal with the terrorists and we will continue to combat such acts of terrorism firmly and decisively the Lt Governor said in a statement hereActivists of JampK unit of Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray led by their president Manish Sahni staged a demonstration outside their office at Channi Himmat on the outskirts of Jammu to protest the killing of SharmaDespite the governments claims of normalcy the terrorists are frequently carrying out targeted killings in the valley We condemn the killing and demand relocation of the Hindu employees who are on protest strike in Jammu over the past eight months said Sahni amid antiPakistan and antiterrorism sloganeering by the participantsAlso read Kashmiri Pandit ATM guard shot dead by terrorists in Pulwama politicians condemn the killingPrime Minister package Kashmiri migrant Pandit employees and reserved category Dogra employees are camping in Jammu seeking their relocation after they fled the valley in May following targeted killings of their two colleagues Rahul Bhat and Rajni BallaJampK Congress chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma also condemned the killing of Sharma and said the attack is a cause of concern and depicts the failure of the government to ensure protection of innocent civiliansInstead of making hollow claims about normalcy the government should ensure protection of minorities and other innocent civilians The Kashmiri pandit and Dogra employees are on protest in Jammu and the government is compelling them to return to their duties in the valley which is not possible in such an atmosphere Sharma saidSeparately JampK Congress spokesperson Jahanzaib Sirwal demanded exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of targeted killingsThe killing of a Kashmiri Pandit exposes the claims of normalcyCenter should take adequate measures to stop target killings and save the precious lives rather than befooling people by claiming return of normalcy in the valleyThe perpetrators of this heinous crime must be identified and given exemplary punishment Sirwal saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever