J&K killings a pre-planned murder, says Mamata

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the incident, in which five migrant labourers in Kashmir were killed was a 'pre-planned murder', and demanded a high-level inquiry.

She said the Narendra Modi-led government failed to check terror attacks despite heavy deployment of Central forces in Kashmir.

Five migrant labourers from Murshidabad were brutally murdered by terrorists at Kulgam district in South Kashmir on Tuesday and one labourer is battling for his life at a hospital after suffering bullet injuries.

She questioned why Bengal labourers were abducted and killed by terrorists when the law order situation in the area remains in Centre's hands. She said the murders had taken place when the victims were planning to return home.

"It was a pre-planned murder. Five labourers from Bengal lost their lives. How the victims were abducted and later murdered when army and other paramilitary forces had been deployed in the area? How such a dastardly incident happened when the Centre had its direct control over the local administration. There have been no political activities in Kashmir and maintaining the law and order situation was the prerogative of the Centre," Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister said the murders had taken place on the day when a delegation of European MPs visited Kashmir. Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a gathering at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadia on the occasion of 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Thursday, said the situation in Kashmir was normal and did not utter a word on the murder Bengal labourers.

Banerjee demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident. "I feel there should be a thorough investigation to find out how the labourers were abducted and killed despite the deployment of the Army," Banerjee said.

Banerjee on Wednesday asked the Additional Director General of Police of South Bengal, Sanjay Singh, to look into the details of the incident and initiative necessary steps in this regard. The state government instructed the district administration to take care of the family members of the deceased.