Frequent attacks on BJP workers: Local leaders seek security cover, safe accommodation

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul has petitioned party’s National President J P Nadda and sought safe accommodation for the party leaders in every district of Kashmir. He has urged workers and leaders not to come out without security cover.

Talking exclusively to Kashmir News Observer, Koul said that the attack on yet another BJP worker at Ompora, Budgam is unfortunate. “The issue is that there was a safe accommodation for our workers in Ompora, but unfortunately there was no food arrangement for them. I met Deputy Commissioner Anantnag yesterday and discussed the issue, he told me that there are no funds for providing food for the BJP leaders if lodged in a separate safe accommodation,” Koul said.

Asked whether he had discussed the issue with the party chief J P Nadda, Koul said he spoke to the party president and has also written a letter to him seeking safe accommodations for party workers and leaders in each district of Kashmir. “We don’t want our leaders, workers and activists to become an easy catch for militants.

There should be a building in each district where 50 to 60 BJP workers, activists and leaders would be accommodated. The building should be provided fool-proof security cover and every single worker or a leader should go out along with proper security cover,” Koul said, adding that workers and leaders should not complain of no food etc facility.

BJP JK spokesman Altaf Thakur said that providing safe accommodations to the workers and leaders of BJP is need of the hour. “All the safe accommodations at district level should have security cover. No worker should venture out without personal security cover and without informing the purpose of his/her visit to the concerned police station,” Thakur said.

BJP’s Media Incharge, Manzoor Bhat, echoed similar concerns and said the only way to protect the workers, leaders  and activists is to keep them lodged in a safe accommodation at their own district headquarters. “They should not come out unnecessarily,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that in the past six days, three BJP workers were attacked by the suspected militants of which one died and two are battling for life. On July 8, militants killed three BJP leaders — Waseem Bari, his brother Omar Sultan and their father Sheikh Bashir Ahmed at Muslimabad area of Bandipora. KNO