Killings, Abduction and COVID-19 has triggered panic among BJP workers in J-K

BJP workers in Jammu and Kashmir are worried. Recent killings, abduction and COVID-19 infection have caused panic among the grassroots workers, on whom the party is depended to establish a fully functional cadre system to restart the political activities in the valley.

Srinagar:Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers in Jammu and Kashmir were already in panic mode following the killing of Wasim Bari along with two family members, last week. A sense of fear among the party flag bearers in Kashmir further escalated after a senior leader was tested positive for COVID-19, and today a leader from Baramulla was abducted and had to be rescued by cops later.

Talking to ETV Bharat on phone, a BJP worker from south Kashmir said, "We don't know about our future. It appears to be very scary. Some unidentified persons are trying to instil fear among us all. That's why they are resorting to such activities - killing, abduction and threat calls. Security forces too are not doing anything for us despite knowing the situation we are in. What option are we left within such circumstances?"

He further claimed, "some party leaders have resigned and some others too might be quitting soon."

When ETV Bharat contacted local administration over the issues raised by the BJP workers, they claimed that "it's not possible to provide security to each and everyone."

"Kashmir is not a normal place. The political workers and leaders are leading a life full of pressure and danger. We understand that but we can't provide security to each and everyone on our own. There are some political activists who have denied security cover," a senior police officer said, adding, "We have so far provided security cover to all those who have requested for the same."

Explaining the difficulty in providing security to all the political workers, the officer said, "We have our own constraints too. Currently, we have 90,000 personnel and they are not enough to provide security cover to all political workers of the Valley. We have provided security cover to former ministers, politicians and even journalists who have requested for security cover citing life threat. But, again providing security cover to everyone is next to impossible."

However, another BJP worker from north Kashmir claims that "security cover can't cheat death."

"There were at least 10 police personnel deputed for Wasim Bari's security. Still, he was killed along with father and brother. Why couldn't security save him? Our lives are in danger whether there is security cover or not," he said.

He further said, "Today one of our colleagues from Baramulla was abducted by unidentified men. This is not the first time. In 2018, one of our colleagues was first kidnapped, later his body was recovered. Our party and administration always provide us with false hopes that steps to end this are being taken but actually nothing changes on the ground."

Mehrajuddin Malla, who was allegedly abducted by unidentified men in Baramulla district was rescued by the cops 12 hours after the abduction incident.

Another party worker from central Kashmir's Budgam district echoed his colleagues, saying, "We don't matter for anyone but our families matter for us."

"Whenever any national leader of the party comes on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, we are ordered to be present for his welcome at the Srinagar office. Right now the whole of Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with COVID-19. Despite that none of the preventative measures were taken at the party office in Srinagar. We had to accompany Ravinder Raina, Dr Jitendra Singh and Ram Madhav to Bandipora (Wasim Bari's residence) to pay condolences. Yesterday, Raina was tested positive and we all had to go self-quarantine. What was our fault? Isn't our families important for the leaders," he said while breaking down.

He further said, "After the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, we waved the party flag. Followed all the directions of the high command but what are we getting. The party is not thinking about us seriously. I along with several party workers are thinking of quitting very soon."

Last week, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM)'s Baramulla unit's president Maroof Bhat resigned from the party.

"I hereby resign from the BJYM as a member and any post I hold as part of it. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to work for the party," Bhat posted on his Twitter account.

Read:BJP leader, family members killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir

"We can sacrifice our lives for the nation, but not of our children. I have been attacked twice in the past, yet nothing has been done about it. I have not been given even a single personal security officer," Bhat said on the phone.

BJYM is the youth wing of BJP. Following Bhat, the party's Kupwara unit's vice president Asif Ahmad resigned citing personal reasons on Tuesday.

"Situation is not good. Nobody is listening to us. In our areas, there is no development. We have become a joke to masses and also there is a threat to our lives," Ahmad said.

Party, however, downplayed these resignations saying, "people with vested interests have resigned."

"Those who have tendered resignations have come from other parties and have joined us recently. They had vested interests in the party and even used to pressurize government officials. But when the officials continued to work for the welfare of the people, they decided to quit," Ashok Koul, BJP's senior leader and J-K general secretary, said.

Koul denied commenting on the fear and panic among the party workers.

Meanwhile, the party's spokesperson and media coordinator Manzoor Bhat claimed that "BJP is just like a family."

"Sometimes there are differences among the family members. The differences are sorted out together. The party believes in them and stands with them. I assure them all necessary steps have been taken for the security of our workers and leaders," Bhat said, adding, "We have appealed Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and provide security to grassroots level leaders of the party in Jammu and Kashmir."