Treat Rakesh Pandita as a Martyr, ensure full support to family: Rana

Jammu, June 07, 2021:National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today called for declaring assassinated BJP leader Mr Rakesh Pandita as a Martyr for his sacrifice in line of public service in Tral area of the Valley, saying selective killings in Kashmir are unacceptable in democratic polity and civilised society.

“The barbaric and selective killings in the recent past have created panic and fear psychosis, which are against the civilized behavior and highly deplorable”, Mr Rana said after visiting the residence of the slain Martyr Rakesh Pandita at his Durga Nagar residence here to personally convey condolences to the bereaved family.

Mr Rana consoled the family and sought adequate economic and financial support to the shattered family, comprising an old mother, young wife, teenaged son and differently abled brother, who have no one to bank upon for sustenance now. The wife of the Martyr should be immediately provided a government job, he said, adding, “This is the least the nation can do for kin of the braveheart, who kept public service above family and his life”.

The Provincial President hoped that the people in general and the political parties in particular will rise above party politics and ideologies to denounce the scourge of terror that has unleashed mayhem during the past over three decades and spilled blood of innocents. He said terrorism has no place in the civilized world and it should be fought unitedly with full might.

Mr Rana said terrorism cannot achieve anything by unleashing violence as history stands testimony to the fact that such a mindset to achieve political objectives by terror ultimately ends up in widespread disaster. He wished good sense to prevail upon those indulging in terror violence for the larger good of humanity.

Mr Rana said there were no words to describe the pain and agony of the family of Mr Pandita, which stood by him in serving the people of his native place. He said he was overwhelmed on hearing about the concern Mr Pandita had for the development of the area. He prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved members of the family to bear the irreparable loss.

 Provincial Vice President Mr Anil Dhar, President JKNC Minority Cell, Mr MK Yogi, Vice President Youth Wing Mr Jatin Bhat,  Vice President Minority Cell, Vice President JKNC Minority Cell Mr Rattan  Lal Mallah, President Temple Shrines Prabandhak Committee Tral, Mr Bal Krishan Bhat, , besides Mr C.L. Bhat, Mr R.K. Koul, Mr S.K. Koul, Mr Vinod Koul, accompanying Mr Rana, also condoled the demise of Mr Rakesh Pandita.