People's Democracy

Reign Of Terror In Kulgam Belt

O N Trisal

A REIGN of terror continues in the Kulgam belt of Jammu and Kashmir state. Mohd Yasin Rather, a resident of Bugam (Kulgam), was shot dead by a gun-totting killer gang at his residence at 8 pm on February 14. Yasin was an innocent civilian and his solitary “sin” was that his entire family was a supporter of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Mohd. Yusuf, another member of this family, was also shot at and is now battling for life in a hospital, having been grievously injured by the desperadoes.

These incidents have taken place on the heels of many more killings only a few days ago and reported in these columns. All the victims have been either workers or supporters of the CPI(M).

The people of Bugam village, along with residents of the neighbouring villages, protested against these killings and took out protest demonstrations, condemning such killing of the innocent. The angry demonstrators expressed shock and grief over the rule of the gun-totting killers, who are killing unarmed villagers with impunity. It was pointed out by the speakers at these public demonstrations that the virtual control of the whole area had passed into the hands of gun-wielding men, who are openly moving in this belt and threatening the villagers with dire consequences if they supported the CPI(M). In fact, these trigger-happy killers have been asking the people in mosques to apologise and remain away from any political activities.

It appears that concerted efforts are on to terrorise the entire population of the area. And in this process the CPI(M) is being made a special target, with its cadres and supporters being physically liquidated. On the other hand, the state administration seems to behave as silent spectators, while the pogrom is continuing to take the precious lives of the innocent – their only ‘fault’ being that they hold certain political views.