LG Sinha meets Gagangeer victim’s family; assures full Govt support

Jammu, Oct 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday stated that the security forces would bring to justice the perpetrators of Gagangeer terror attack, which claimed lives of seven persons, including a doctor, engaged in the construction of Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.

Describing the dastardly killing as an “act of frustration on the part of Pakistan”, LG Sinha asserted that the security forces demonstrating perfect synergy would not only respond to it (attack) in the stringent possible manner but would also defeat the “neighbour’s attempts to disrupt peace in J&K.”

While sharing grief of the families of the victims, he assured that the J&K administration would take care of all their needs.

LG Sinha was responding to media queries after meeting the family of one of the victims, hailing from Jammu, Shashi Bhushan Abrol.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Jammu Anand Jain accompanied the Lieutenant Governor, besides other senior officers, during his visit to the victim's residence at Talab Tillo.

“This was a very unfortunate incident wherein innocent people, non-locals and as well as a few locals, who were working on Z-Morh tunnel, lost their lives. Director General of Police (DGP) along with other senior officers of Jammu and Kashmir Police had visited the site of the incident on Sunday evening. I, myself, visited SKIMS this morning to enquire about the well-being of the injured, undergoing treatment there. Now I’ve just met the family of a victim (of a terror incident) to share their grief personally and express my condolences,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He stated that security forces were given a free hand and hoped that the perpetrators of this heinous terror act would be brought to justice very soon. “I believe that J&K Police will not just identify them (terrorists) but will eliminate them very soon,” he said.

Last time, Jammu and Kashmir Police had adopted a stringent policy to tackle the spate of selective killings, how (it) would respond to this renewed challenge (of selective killings), responding to this query, LG Sinha stated, “This time, it (JKP) would further scale up its response to take on terrorists who resorted to these ghastly killings. Their (JKP’s) action would be more stringent.”

“I want to reiterate my commitment to the families of the victims that the J&K administration is solidly behind them. The construction company, which was working on the project, has already given Rs 15 lakh as immediate financial assistance. Next of Kin (NoK) of every victim will get Rs 6 lakh under Security Related Expenditure (SRE). Besides, we will also look into the provision of a job under SRO 43 for the NoK of victims, who are residents of Jammu and Kashmir,” he assured.

Was it (killing) an act of desperation on the part of Pakistan, frustrated over the successful culmination of democratic process (assembly elections) which saw an overwhelming participation of J&K people? LG Sinha responded to this question in affirmation.

“Definitely, this is very natural. The neighbour is very perturbed over positive developments here. It will resort to such acts in utter frustration. But we will not let its attempts to disrupt peace succeed. Our response will be stringent. Our policy against terrorism is unambiguous. There should be no confusion or doubt about our response to this heinous act. Our security forces – our police, our army are fully alert and well-equipped. Demonstrating perfect synergy, they will respond to it aptly,” he said, while cautioning Pakistan against its attempts to disrupt peace in J&K.

“They (Pakistan) have failed in providing basic amenities to their own citizens. However it is trying to disturb peace here but all its attempts are bound to fail,” LG Sinha remarked.

During his visit, he interacted with the relatives of victim Shashi, including his siblings, father-in-law. He also met his wife and children and assured them all help.

Later, the Lieutenant Governor on ‘X’ posted, “Met the family members of Martyr Sh Shashi Abrol in Jammu and offered my condolences. Assured them that the terrorists responsible for his Martyrdom will be neutralised soon. Govt will take care of the welfare, job and education of the next of kin.”

ADGP Jain too stated that the JKP was fully ready to take on all challenges in hunting down the perpetrators in synergy with other security forces and they (terrorists) would be eliminated.

Meanwhile the families of Madan Lal and Jagtar Singh, residents of Kathua, who sustained injuries in this terror attack, are in shock and are praying for their early recovery.

“We are thankful to the Almighty that they are safe, at least. Now we want that the perpetrators should be given stringent punishment and the government should ensure security of our kin,” a relative of Madan Lal said, while speaking to the media.

He stated that the work (at Z-Morh tunnel) was at the last stage and was about to end in a few days.

“Madan, who is presently in SKIMS, Soura, has been associated with this company for the past 4-5 years,” he said.