More articles by

Tariq Bhat
Tariq Bhat

TERRORISM

Murder of BJP worker in J&K sparks fears of political workers being target of militants

shot-gun-ani (File) Representational image

Militants, on Wednesday evening, murdered BJP worker Arif Ahmed Sofi in Sopore, sparking fears of political workers being the target of militant attacks ahead of panchayat polls in February.

A police officer said Sofi was shot dead close to his house.

Police have registered a case and a massive manhunt has been launched to arrest the militants involved in the murder. Hundreds of people turned out to join his funeral on Thursday. Amid pro-freedom slogans, Sofi was laid to rest at his native place in Handwara.

BJP's state president Sat Sharma, general secretary Ashok Koul and state general secretary and MoS PMO Jitendra Singh Jitender Rana said in a joint statement that they were saddened by the killing of Sofi.

"Pained to learn about the brutal murder of our worker in Sopore. Our deepest condolences to his family,” the statement said. ''Terrorists must realise that they cannot stop the youth of the valley from choosing a better future for themselves''.

The slain BJP worker was an employ of a pharmaceutical company. He has two brothers and a disabled father.

The separatists too condemned Sofi's killing and called it cowardly.

''Saddened and strongly condemn the killing of 25- year-old Arif Ahmed of Sopore by unknown assailants,'' chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umar Farooq tweeted. ''Killing human beings in every form is cowardly and against humanity”

Sofi's killing has sparked fears that militants could target political workers in the run-up to panchayat polls starting February 15.

The polls were scheduled to be held in 2016, but after the uprising triggered by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July, the elections were delayed.

Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq said the government has decided to hold panchayat elections on non-party basis.

He said the basic purpose of holding panchayat elections is to strengthen democracy and empower people.

After the panchayat polls, the government will ask the Election Commission of India to announce the dates of bypolls for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency that were canceled after nine people were killed in anti-election violence during Srinagar-Budgam parliamentary constituency elections on April 9.   

This browser settings will not support to add bookmarks programmatically. Please press Ctrl+D or change settings to bookmark this page.

Related Reading