J&K: BJP leader shot dead, party says security was withdrawn
Ahead of the last phase of elections in Anantnag parliamentary constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, a senior BJP leader was shot dead at his home in Verinag on Saturday. Notably, the last leg of the three-phased polls in Anantnag is scheduled for Monday. 55-year-old Ghulam Mohammed Mir was murdered by suspected militants. The party claimed his security was withdrawn despite threats. Here's what happened.
Militants asked for car's keys, shot Mir dead
Mir, popularly known as 'Atal' was the district vice president of BJP and had contested polls. He stood for assembly polls from Dooru constituency in 2008 and 2014. According to police, three militants entered Mir's house in the night and asked for keys of his car. After taking the keys, they rained bullets on him and fled. Subsequently, Mir was rushed to the hospital.
Mir suffered five bullet injuries, died on way to hospital
Anantnag District Hospital's medical superintended, Dr. Abdul Majid Merab, said Mir was pronounced dead on arrival. He suffered five bullet injuries- two in his abdomen and three in the chest. BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur called Mir's death a barbaric incident and pointed out he was under constant threats from militants. Despite this, his security was withdrawn by government, Thakur added.
Thakur held security agencies responsible for Mir's death
"His security was withdrawn by the authorities, currently he was without any security. We are holding security agencies responsible for the killing because they withdrew his security despite writing to them," Thakur told IE.
Earlier, many political workers were stripped off security
In March, a special security review meeting was held and it was concluded that security of 500 protected persons should be withdrawn. Most of them were political workers and the move miffed parties. Several leaders met with Election Commission to tell this step would be dangerous. The state unit of the polling watchdog had said a decision in this regard would be taken soon.
Police have launched an investigation, leaders condemned Mir's murder
Police said a statement has been recorded in this case and the area has been cordoned off. "Police is investigating the circumstances of this terror crime," a statement from J&K police read. Meanwhile, leaders like PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and her NC counterpart Omar Abdullah condemned the killing. "May his family & loved ones find strength at this difficult time," tweeted former Chief Minister Abdullah.
