Rajouri Killings: Emotions run high as bodies of civilians cremated

Rajouri, Jan 3: Amid tears and sobs, the people of Dangri area of Rajouri district performed the last rites of four civilians and two minors, who were killed in firing and IED explosion on January 1 and January 2, amid demands of strengthening Village Defence Committees (VDCs) on the lines of Doda and covering sensitive areas with CCTVs.
Eye-witnesses said that the bodies of four civilians and two minors were kept at Government Higher Secondary School Dangri for the night and early this morning, relatives of the slain took the bodies to respective homes where they performed their last rites. Later, the bodies of all the six slain were taken to cremation ground in the form of huge procession where all emotional scenes were witnessed.
“The relatives of slain were seen mourning, in tears and beating chests,” eye-witnesses said.
Four civilians were killed in the firing of gunmen on January 1 and two minors were killed in an IED explosion at the same spot on January 2.
The mourners including the relatives of the slain demanded strengthening of VDCs on the lines of Doda district and covering all sensitive areas including Dangri with CCTVs.
“VDCs in Dangri had weapons that were taken back. We demand that the weapons be allotted to all the VDCs soon and same committees be strengthened on the lines of Doda,” said a group of locals, who were part of the funeral procession.
They said that during the LG Manoj Sinha’s visit to Dangri on Monday, they presented 11-point memorandum comprising demands of locals of Dangri area. Reiterating the main demands, the locals said for the protection of minorities, army companies should be deployed in every village of Rajouri district. “While strengthening VDCs, all the ex-army men should be given automatic modern weapons,” they said.
The memorandum, reads that license for personal weapons haven’t been renewed since long neither new license were issued. “The process of renewal and issuance should start forthwith,” it reads. “CCTVs should be installed on all roads/lanes/chowks of all villages and towns.”
It further stated that all the temples should be protected by establishing a police post in each location. “Any person of family involved in providing shelter to militants should be booked under section 302,” the memorandum reads. Pertinently, LG Manoj Sinah on Monday stated that the administration will get into the bottom of the case and ensure justice with the families of slain. He also stated that the killings will be avenged soon.
Top Officials participate in last rites: Top police officials including Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir Dilbag Singh, Divisional Commissioner Jammu and ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh and hundreds of people on Tuesday gathered at cremation ground in Dangri village of Rajouri district for the last rites of six civilians killed in militant attack on Sunday evening.
An official said that hundreds of people and top officials from civil and police administration gathered at the cremation ground in Dangri village today morning for the last rites. He said among top official DGP Dilbag Singh, Divisional Commissioner and ADGP Jammu Mukesh Singh were also present.
He said hundreds of people took out a procession, raising slogans as they gathered at the cremation ground for the last rites.
Notably, 4 civilians were killed while 6 others were injured after suspected militants stormed Dangri village on Sunday evening.
Next morning, two minor children also died and few others were injured after an unattended IED blast went off in one of the houses of the slain civilians in Dangri village.
The attack has created panic and fear among the locals, while security agencies are trying to ascertain details about the attack.
On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also reached Dangri village to review the situation and express solidarity with the victim families.
He also assured that security agencies will go to the bottom of the incident and ensure justice to the victim families. (KNO)