india

Updated: Nov 01, 2019 04:17 IST

Describing the killings of five labourers from West Bengal in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir as pre-planned murder, chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday questioned the security arrangements in place in the Valley after abrogation of Article 370.

Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said, the labourers were set to return to their homes soon.

“But the manner they were murdered brutally after being abducted, I think it is a pre-planned murder,” Banerjee said.

She also demanded a “strong investigation” into the incident to find out the truth.

Mentioning that it is the Centre that is responsible for the law and order situation in the Valley, she said, “In Kashmir, there are no political activities and there is no political party there currently. The entire administration belongs to the central government, the Army and the other central forces... they are taking care of it.

“And on that day a delegation of European Union parliamentarians was visiting the state. Inspite of all this, how could they abduct these poor innocent fellows ... Im really shocked, she added.

Five labourers from West Bengals Murshidabad district were killed and one worker was wounded by terrorists in Kulgam area on Tuesday.

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The bodies of five labourers, killed in a terror attack in Kashmir, have arrived at their hometown here in Murshidabad district on Thursday morning, accompanied by grief-stricken family members, state ministers and TMC leaders among others.

Hundreds of people from far-flung areas have flocked Bahal Nagar village to express condolences and attend the last rites of the slain labourers, scheduled to be performed later in the day.

The five labourers were shot dead by terrorists in Kulgam district of Kashmir on Tuesday. One labourer, also from Murshidabad, sustained severe injuries in the attack and was currently undergoing treatment at a Kolkata hospital.

State urban development minister Firhad Hakim, who was at the Kolkata airport on Wednesday night to receive the remains of the labourers, lashed out at the BJP-led central government over the security situation in Kashmir, seeking to the know the purpose of abrogating Article 370, in the wake of the recent terror attacks.

He also questioned the “silence” of Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the incident.

“The citizens of this country are being killed and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is silent. What is the use of abolishing Article 370 in the valley when so many people are getting killed? It means the terror activities have not stopped in the valley,” he told reporters.

The Kolkata mayor, who accompanied the family members from the airport to Murshidabad, will attend the last rites, along with other senior TMC leaders, including party MP Mohua Moitra and state transport minister Suvendu Adhikari.

In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “56-inch chest” speech, Hakim said, “What was the point of having 56-inch or 72-inch chest if the Union government can’t protect its citizens.” Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had demanded a thorough inquiry into the incident.