Protesters block highway in Rajouri
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Hundreds of villagers -- including family members, relatives and friends of 52-year-old Ranjit Singh, who was killed in a grenade attack inside a wine shop in Baramulla on Tuesday -- blocked Rajouripoonch highway at Sunderbani on Wednesday morning for over three hours to protest against his killing.
They also raised slogans against the administration for failing to provide safety to minorities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ranjit was the sole bread earner of his family, which has his wife, four daughters and a son. “I want justice for my father. He was the one who took care of the family. Now, who will take care of us? Today, this happened to my father. Tomorrow it can happen to some other person,” said Ranjit’s daughter.
Local leaders have demanded compensation of Rs 25 lakh and a government job to a member of Ranjit’s family. Ranjit hailed from Bhakar in Sunderbani and had recently gone to Baramulla to work at the wine shop.
Rajouri SSP Choudhary said,
“We have pacified the protesters. The aggrieved family will be provided relief as per the laid norms for civilians, who become victim of terrorism.” Condition of one of the injured, Govind, remains critical and he has been brought to Sher-i-kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences.
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha said, “I strongly condemn the terror attack at Dewan Bagh, Baramulla. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family of Ranjit Singh. I pray for the speedy recovery of injured. Perpetrators of this heinous terror attack shall be punished.”