Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 14: Various political parties and other organizations have strongly condemned the gruesome killing of senior journalist and editor of Rising Kashmir, English Daily, Shujat Bukhari by militants in Srinagar on Thursday evening.
BJP State president Ravinder Raina (MLA), condemned the gruesome attack and killing of senior journalist from Kashmir Shujat Bukhari. Raina said that the killing of a journalist is really a shocking news for everyone who believes in the pillar of democracy. He said that such attack further reinforce the strong will of media fraternity to work for the society. He also conveyed is heartfelt condolences to family of journalist.
BJP State general secretary Dr Narinder Singh also condemned the attack and said that BJP fully stand with the family and the media in this hour. He said that such barbaric act cannot be justified at any cost. State secretaries Pawan Khajuria and Harinder Gupta also condemned the killing.
Chief spokesperson of state BJP Sunil Sethi said that there is no room for peace and talks in the scheme of militants and their masters sitting in Pakistan who are out to spill more innocent blood in kashmir and have no regards for humanity.
Militants having chosen to attack stalwart of media in Kashmir is open attack on free press and should be condemned by all. This should be eye opener for all Kashmiris that militants w’ll not spare any person to spread terror and weaken democratic institutions in India.
Strongly condemning the attack on senior journalist Shujaat Bukhari in which Bukhari and his PSO lost their lives today, the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president GA Mir described the incident as cowardly and shameful act on the part of attackers.
Strongly condemning this inhuman act, Mir expressed serious anguish over the deadly attack on senior journalist and emphasized the Govt to ascertain the identity of the attackers for severe punishment.
Senior Congress leader Gulam Nabi Monga has also condemned the killing of senior journalist by unknown gunmen.
The Press Club of Jammu has condemned the attack on Shujaat Bukhari, the Chief Editor of Rising Kashmir, who was shot dead in his office in Srinagar by unidentified gunmen on Thursday evening.
The Managing Committee in an urgent meeting, held in the Club premises here, under the leadership of president Ashwani Kumar strongly condemned the attack on Bukhari.
“This is not the first case, in past as well, there have been cases of assault and attack on journalists while on duty and it is a direct attack on the fourth pillar of our democracy,” Ashwani Kumar pointed out and demanded that the State Government must ensure safety of journalists.
He said that the terrorists eye on soft targets and the attack on the fourth pillar is highly condemnable.
“The 90s like situation has once again seems to be returning in the Kashmir valley when the journalists were used to be attacked and assassinated,” he rued.
Secretary general, Press Club of Jammu, Zorawar Singh Jamwal said the journalists are being made soft target by the militant outfits and anti-social elements in the militancy-hit state of Jammu and Kashmir. “I’m in complete shock after hearing about the attack on a senior journalist,” he said and demanded safety of journalists.
He however, also sought security for the journalist fraternity especially for those who are into field and putting their lives on risk while performing professional duties.
Shujat was also an active member of Press Club of Jammu. He remained associated with national dailies The Hindu and The Indian Express also.
Besides others, those who attended the meeting included, Vice-President, PCJ, Abhimanyu Sharma, Treasurer, Dinesh Manhotra and members of the Managing Committee, Ajay Bachloo, Deepak Khajuria, Dinesh Mahajan, Nishikant Khajuria, Pawan Sharma, Surjeet Singh and Vishal Bharti.
Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq condemned the killing of veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari, saying the act was unpardonable.
“Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic news of Shujaat Bukhari’s killing! Such inhumanity is unpardonable and condemned in the strongest terms! Proud son of the soil his death is a huge loss,” Mirwaiz tweeted.
The separatist leader said Bukhari was an erudite intellectual, a fearless journalist and above all a selfless human who was deeply concerned for his people.
“My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. Pray to Almighty for his ‘magfirat’ (forgiveness) and place in heaven,” Mirwaiz said.
Gaurav Gupta, secretary, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu has also strongly condemned the killing of senior journalist.
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