Srinagar, Oct 21 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that the security forces have been given a “free hand” to act against the culprits involved in the Gagangeer, Ganderbal attack that left a doctor and six labourers dead and five others wounded.
LG visited the house of one of the slain labourers from Jammu, Shashi Bhusan Abrol and consoled his family members. He ensured all out support to the family members of Abrol from the Administration.
Later speaking to reporters as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), LG Sinha said that the Gagangeer, Ganderbal incident was a very unfortunate one. “Innocent labourers working at the Z-Morh tunnel were targeted. DGP J&K and other senior police officers visited the spot yesterday. Today, I visited SKIMS to meet the injured and I also met family members of a labourer from Jammu,” the LG said.
Replying to a query about what would be the response of the security forces, the LG said: “Security forces have been given a free hand to act against the perpetrators of Gagangeer, Ganderbal incident. This time, action will be more tough compared to the past. J&K Police will act sternly.”
He said that the APCO Infratech has been directed to give Rs 15 lakh compensation to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of slain. “From the Administration, Rs 6 lakh will be provided and the J&K residents killed in the attack will get jobs under SRO 43,” he said.
To a query whether the attack was the act of frustration from neighbouring country given unprecedented participator of people in J&K elections, the LG said: “Obviously”
“We will give them (neighbouring country) a befitting reply,” he said. Earlier, he visited SKIMS Soura to enquire about the condition of injured. He directed the doctors to ensure best possible treatment for the injured.
Later in the afternoon, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also visited the injured at SKIMS. He sought details of the treatment from doctors and spoke to the injured to get a first hand account of their condition. Talking to reporters later, Omar said: “Condemnation is a small word for the incident. What will these incidents fetch, nothing. We have seen such things for the past 35 years, nothing happened. They (attackers) want to show that J & K's atmosphere wasn’t peaceful. Security forces need to maintain and increase the level of alertness so that these incidents don’t re-occur.”
Omar said that the attack on Z-Morh tunnel was seen after a long time. “I remember the militants targeted the IRCON project earlier and after that this (Gagangeer) is the second big attack. I have spoken to DGP and urged him to fill the gaps especially at the sites of big projects. Vested interest have never been in favour of peace in Kashmir. We have condemned them in the past and will continue to do same.”
Meanwhile, the slain in Gagangeer, Ganderbal incident were identified as, Gurmeet Singh of Gurudaspura Punjab, (Labourer), Dr Shahnawaz R/O Naidgam, Budgam, Anil Kumar Shukla, R/O Madiya Pradesh, Manager Mechanical, Faheem Nazir, R/O Bihar, Safety Manager, Shashi Abrol R/O Jammu, Deputy Manager Planning, Mohammad Hanief, R/O Bihar Painter/helper and Kaleem Painter/helper. The injured were identified as Inderwaday (35), R/o Bihar, Labourer, Madan Lal (45), R/O Jathua Jammu, electrician, Muhtaq Ahmad Lone, (25) R/o Preng, Kangan, Mess helper, Ishfat Ahmad Bhat, R/O Safapura, Gandbal, Driver and Jagtar Singh R/O Kathua Jammu labourer—(KNO)