Srinagar, July 24: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Friday visited the family of Head Constable Ashiq Hussain, who was killed in a militant attack while on duty at Lal Chowk in Anantnag, and said the country would remain indebted to the family that has lost two generations in the service of the nation.

Leading a BJP delegation to the slain policeman’s home in Lalpora, Verinag, Sharma expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said he had also facilitated a phone conversation between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the martyr’s son.

“Head Constable Ashiq Hussain was martyred two days ago while protecting this country and performing his duty at Lal Chowk, Anantnag. The whole of Jammu and Kashmir is mourning his loss,” Sharma said.

Recalling the family’s history of sacrifice, he said Ashiq Hussain’s father had also laid down his life in 1995.

“Thirty-one years ago, in February 1995, Ashiq Hussain’s father from the same family was martyred. Today, the son has also sacrificed his life while protecting the nation. Not just we, but the entire country is indebted to this family, and I do not think we can ever repay that debt.”

Sharma said Amit Shah had conveyed his condolences directly to the family.

“The Home Minister had asked me that when I visit here, I should connect him with the family. He also said that when he comes to Kashmir, he will definitely visit them,” Sharma said.

Assuring the family of continued support, he added: “On behalf of my party and the Government of India, I have assured them that a family which has given two martyrs to the nation will never be left alone. This will not remain only in words; they will practically feel that the nation and the Government of India stand with them.”

Responding to a demand from villagers that Lalpora be developed as a model village in recognition of its sacrifices, Sharma said efforts would be made to create a lasting memorial.

“This is a family of two martyrs. To keep their name alive and to give Lalpora its identity, we will make every effort to ensure there is some memorial — a statue, a ground, a school or some other mark of remembrance in this village,” he said.

Asked about the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said terrorism had declined significantly over the past few years but had not yet been completely eliminated.

“You have to go back 36 years. This is not a fight between two families; it is a conflict in which another country has been involved. It has been targeting our people. But if you look at the last four or five years, there has been a major decline in such incidents. This attack came after almost one to one-and-a-half years. Earlier, we used to see ten bodies in a day. Entire buses of passengers were taken off and shot. We have seen brides and grooms being killed. Today’s incident reminds us that terrorism has not yet been completely rooted out.”

On the demand for a risk allowance for Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, Sharma said he fully supported the proposal.

“There is no doubt that the Jammu and Kashmir Police have made immense sacrifices in protecting the nation. I completely accept that they should get a risk allowance. I had raised this earlier in Kupwara as well. Work is underway, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police truly deserve it. They are a unique police force that has fought terrorism and continues to do so.”

Addressing the long-pending demands of Special Police Officers (SPOs), Sharma said their salaries had improved since the BJP came to power and hinted that another enhancement could be announced soon.

“Earlier, SPOs used to receive only ₹3,000, and even that was not paid regularly. After the Modi government came to power, a mechanism was created under which their salaries increased in phases. Recruitment into the police also gives them special weightage. Their present demand is for salary enhancement, and it is under consideration by the Central Government. I am confident you will hear good news on this very soon.”

Sharma also commented on the recent collapse of a commercial complex in Verinag, saying the Jammu and Kashmir government should first assess the losses and seek Central assistance.

“The state government should first evaluate the damage and send a proposal to the Centre. The Centre is ready to help. The Chief Minister himself has said that Delhi is providing funds generously. Let the proposal come, and we will also extend all possible assistance.”

Srinagar, Jul 24: Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Friday condemned the killing of a police personnel at Lal Chowk in Anantnag, calling it a “deeply unfortunate and highly condemnable” incident, while cautioning the authorities against resorting to arbitrary action in its aftermath.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Tarigami expressed condolences to the bereaved family and said the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been performing their duties under extremely challenging circumstances.

“The real culprits must be identified through a fair and professional investigation and brought to justice in accordance with the law. Indiscriminate and unabated arrests are avoidable as they have repeatedly proved to be counterproductive,” he said.

Referring to reports of large-scale arrests in parts of South Kashmir following the killing, Tarigami said while acts of violence deserve unequivocal condemnation, the response of law-enforcing agencies must remain within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law.

He said investigations supported by evidence were the only effective means of apprehending those responsible, adding that past experience had shown indiscriminate arrests neither strengthened security nor advanced the cause of peace. Instead, such actions created resentment and inadvertently served the interests of anti-social elements.

Tarigami said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had suffered the consequences of violence for more than three decades and that the experience underscored the need for restraint, sensitivity and adherence to the law.

“Violence cannot be defeated by violating the rights of innocent people. Unabated harassment only breeds anger and alienation, making the task of isolating anti-social and anti-people elements even more difficult,” he said.

The CPI(M) leader said there was now a broad consensus among the people of Jammu and Kashmir that violence was against the interests of ordinary citizens, as it disrupted livelihoods, education and normal life.

He stressed that restoring public confidence required law-enforcement agencies to act professionally, fairly and transparently instead of relying on indiscriminate action. Tarigami also criticised what he described as the recurring practice of re-arresting individuals who had previously been detained and released whenever such incidents occurred, terming the approach arbitrary and inappropriate.

Expressing concern over what he called the growing “bulldozer trend”, Tarigami alleged that demolishing residential houses of families remotely connected with accused persons amounted to collective punishment.

He said the Supreme Court had laid down clear guidelines prohibiting demolition of residential properties without due process, including proper notice and an opportunity to be heard, and urged the authorities to respect those safeguards.

“The responsibility of the government is to provide shelter to its citizens, not to deprive them of their homes without due legal process. Upholding the rule of law is the hallmark of a constitutional democracy,” he said.

Tarigami also sought the release of political detainees lodged in prisons outside Jammu and Kashmir, or alternatively their transfer to jails within the Union Territory to enable family members to meet them without undue hardship.

Commenting on the ongoing student protests in Delhi over the alleged NEET examination irregularities, Tarigami expressed solidarity with the agitating youth, saying they were demanding a thorough investigation, accountability for those responsible and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He described the reported suicides of students linked to the alleged examination irregularities as tragic and said the nationwide student movement reflected growing public concern over repeated failures to safeguard students’ interests.

Tarigami also referred to the hunger strike of Ladakh-based environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, saying his peaceful protest symbolised commitment to justice, democratic rights and the rule of law.

He criticised attempts to weaken scientific temper or distort history by deleting chapters from academic syllabi, saying such measures deprived future generations of critical knowledge.

The CPI(M) leader also criticised the police response to student protests in Delhi, alleging that the use of force against demonstrators had sparked widespread concern and calling for dialogue instead of repression.

Concluding, Tarigami said the ongoing youth mobilisation offered hope for strengthening democracy, accountability and the rule of law in the country.

Srinagar, Jul 24: The Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha today visited Lalpora, Beerwah, Budgam to meet the family members of Martyr J&K Police’s Head Constable Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, who laid down his life in the line of duty during a terror attack in Anantnag earlier this week.

The Lieutenant Governor paid heartfelt tributes to the brave policeman and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

He said the entire nation is proud of brave-heart Ashiq Hussain Qureshi, whose courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty will remain etched in our collective memory.

The Lieutenant Governor emphasized that the martyr’s ideals of love for duty and honor for the motherland will continue to inspire generations in building a peaceful and prosperous Union Territory. He assured the family that the administration stands firmly with them and will ensure their well-being and dignity.

The Lieutenant Governor also assured full support to the family until martyr Ashiq Hussain Qureshi’s son finishes his studies and becomes eligible for a compassionate government appointment.

The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the significant progress achieved under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in dismantling the terror ecosystem and reaffirmed his resolve to eliminate terrorism from Jammu Kashmir.

He urged the entire society, especially youth of Jammu Kashmir, to draw strength from the martyr’s dedication and devotion to Maa Bharti and remain united in the fight against terrorism.