Kulgam attack on workers: J&K, Chhattisgarh announce ex-gratia amid all-round criticism

A day after two migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh were shot dead in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday (August 1) announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the victims, saying no amount of compensation could make up for the loss suffered by those who had come to the Valley to earn an honest livelihood.

The assistance from the Jammu and Kashmir government will be in addition to the Rs 6 lakh immediate relief already announced by the district administration. The Chhattisgarh government also announced Rs 20 lakh each for the families of the deceased workers.

Also read: J-K: Two migrant workers killed in terrorist attack at Kulgam brick kiln

The victims, Deepak Ratray and Bopinder, both in their twenties and residents of Chhattisgarh, were killed when terrorists opened fire at a brick kiln in the Kelam area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Friday (July 31) evening.

Omar Abdullah condemns attack

Announcing the relief, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Abdullah had "strongly condemned the dastardly killing" and expressed profound grief over the loss of innocent lives.

"He announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased. This will be in addition to the immediate assistance of ₹6 lakh each to be provided by the district administration," the CMO said in a post on X.

Abdullah also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that the Jammu and Kashmir government stood firmly with them during the difficult time.

Chhattisgarh extends support

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai also condemned the killings, describing the targeting of innocent civilians as a crime against humanity. Announcing an ex gratia of Rs 20 lakh each for the victims' families, Sai said the state government would provide all possible assistance.

He said senior officials had been directed to coordinate with their counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir immediately, while a nodal officer would be appointed to oversee relief and facilitate support for the affected families.

Also read: J&K Police launch Valley-wide raids, detain over 1,000 after Anantnag cop murder

"The Chhattisgarh government stands firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief," Sai said.

Political leaders condemn attack

The killings drew widespread condemnation from political leaders across Jammu and Kashmir.

The ruling National Conference, led by party president Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, termed the attack an act of "utter inhumanity". "Targeting such vulnerable individuals is an act of utter inhumanity that deserves the strongest condemnation," the party said in a statement, while extending condolences to the families.

CPI(M) leader and Kulgam MLA MY Tarigami described the attack as "sheer brutality", saying migrant workers travel thousands of kilometres to support their families and should never become targets of violence.

Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the attack, saying Islam upholds the sanctity of every innocent human life.

"Targeting poor labourers who have come to earn an honest livelihood is completely contrary to the teachings of Islam and the values of humanity," he said, adding that dialogue and engagement, rather than violence, remained the only path towards lasting peace in South Asia.

Also read: J-K waiting for Centre to fulfil statehood promise: Farooq Abdullah

J-K BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur termed the attack a "cowardly and barbaric act" aimed at disrupting peace and hurting Kashmir's economy. With the Amarnath Yatra underway and tourist arrivals remaining high, Thakur said such attacks were intended to spread fear and demanded strict action against those responsible.

Apni Party leader Ashraf Mir also condemned the killings, urging authorities to punish the perpetrators while ensuring innocent people were not harassed during the investigation.

Deputy CM questions security narrative

The attack also triggered a political debate over security in the Union Territory.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary questioned the Centre's claims that the security situation had significantly improved after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. "If innocent people are still being killed six years after Article 370 was revoked on the promise that terrorism would end, the Centre must explain whether its experiment has failed," Choudhary said.

He demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah constitute a high-level committee to investigate recent terror attacks and identify those responsible for disrupting peace in the region.

Also read: Houses of two LeT terrorists demolished in Anantnag

Choudhary also claimed that major terror incidents appeared to coincide with renewed political demands for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, referring to the National Conference's recent protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

Questions over security

Jammu and Kashmir Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana described the killings as "sheer barbarity" and said the deaths of unarmed civilians amounted to "the murder of humanity itself."

However, he pointed out that law and order remains under the Union Home Ministry's jurisdiction, adding that questions relating to any security lapse should be answered by the authorities responsible for maintaining security.

He urged the Centre to further strengthen security arrangements to ensure migrant workers and other civilians are protected from terror attacks.

The Kulgam attack comes less than two weeks after terrorists shot dead a police officer in Anantnag. In another similar incident in February 2024, two migrant workers from Punjab —Amritpal Singh and Rohit Masih — were killed by terrorists in Srinagar's Shaheed Gunj area, highlighting the recurring vulnerability of non-local labourers working in the Valley.

(With agency inputs)