Oppn attacks Centre; LG promises action

SRINAGAR: The killing of 36-year-old schoolteacher Rajni Bala in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday sparked widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.

Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha vowed an “unforgettable response”.

“Terrorist attack on a school teacher, Rajni Bala is the most reprehensible act... Terrorists and their sympathizers will be given unforgettable response for dastardly attack,” he tweeted.

Bala belonged to Samba district but was posted at a government school in Gopalpora. She was injured in the attack by suspected terrorists and succumbed to injuries at a district hospital.

Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing and hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government over “fake claims” about normalcy in the Union territory.

Despite “fake claims” by the central government about life in Kashmir being normal, it is obvious that targeted civilian killings are on the rise, which is a “deep cause of concern”, she said.

“Condemn this act of cowardice which sadly plays into the vicious anti-Muslim narrative spun by BJP,” she added.

“This is yet another targeted killing in a long list of recent attacks directed at unarmed civilians,” said Omar Abdullah, former chief minister and vice president of the National Conference.

“Cowardice has yet again plummeted to shameless depths,” People’s Conference chairman Sajad Lone said. “A teacher- an innocent female hailing from Samba has been shot dead in Kulgam. May her soul rest in peace.”