Jammu, May 21: J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, on Wednesday announced government jobs to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in Pakistan shelling.

The Lieutenant Governor made the announcement while addressing families affected by the Poonch shelling.

The L-G expressed grief over the loss of lives due to Pakistan shelling and also expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.

“The loss of lives cannot be compensated. We stand with the families in this hour of grief. The next of kin of those who lost their lives will be given government jobs. This is in addition to the Centre’s support for the affected families. Both the Centre and state governments have been making efforts to provide compensation to the families. The damage assessment is being done, and once the report is completed, the measures will be taken accordingly,” he said.

“Community bunkers have already been constructed at many places, but the number of individual bunkers will be constructed soon to ensure the safety of border dwellers,” the Lt.Governor said.

In response to specific precision strikes against terror targets by Indian armed forces in Muridke near Lahore and Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by India, Pakistan resorted to Indiscriminate mortar shelling on civilian facilities along the line of control (LoC) and the international border (IB).

Over 200 houses and shops were destroyed in Pakistan mortar shelling in Poonch, Rajouri, Baramulla and Kupwara districts. Hundreds of civilians had to give up homes, livestock and agricultural fields. Over 38 civilians were killed as Pakistan shelled civilian areas.

The border residents are still not able to completely return to their villages because of unexploded shells in the border areas.

Notably, India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire understanding on May 10 as the DGMOs of the two countries spoke to each other on the hotline.

New Delhi, May 21: The political storm intensified on Wednesday after a report by a three-member committee of the Calcutta High Court exposed serious lapses by the state police in containing the communal violence that erupted in West Bengal’s Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district last month.

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led government, accusing it of shielding extremists and failing to protect Hindu families.

The communal unrest broke out on April 8 in areas like Dhulian, Suti, and Samserganj, with the violence escalating over protests against the newly promulgated Waqf (Amendment) Act.

Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed only on the night of April 12, following an order from the High Court’s special division bench, which observed that the West Bengal government’s measures to curb the violence were inadequate.

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar, addressing the Media, said, “The committee’s findings point towards the involvement of local councillor Mehboob Alam, MLAs, and other leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Despite his role as a principal conspirator, the police failed to act against him during the violence.”

According to sources, the report detailed how Mehboob Alam led the mob from 2 p.m. onwards on April 11, actively participating in the violence alongside miscreants while police personnel remained inactive.

The High Court committee also named one Amirul Islam, who allegedly directed the attackers towards Hindu homes that were yet to be vandalised and looted.

“Mamata Banerjee had blamed outsiders for the violence, but the report shows otherwise. This clearly proves she was lying and must apologise to the people of Bengal,” Majumdar said.

BJP National Spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told Media, “India is perhaps the only country where the majority community faces communal persecution. This happens because dangerous elements receive political protection and encouragement. That’s what fuels such horrific incidents.”

Calling West Bengal a “Taliban state,” BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh alleged that under Mamata Banerjee’s rule, Bengal was being governed not by constitutional principles but by terror and appeasement.

“The state is now under the grip of a ‘Modern Jinnah’ (Mamata Banerjee). When victims’ cries are ignored and murderers flourish under political protection, it becomes evident the system has collapsed,” Chugh said.

He added that the Murshidabad violence was not an isolated riot but a targeted attack on Hindus, orchestrated with the support of the state government.

“This massacre was carried out under the protection of Trinamool Congress leaders, and the state government must be held accountable,” he said.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said the committee’s report made it evident that Hindus were specifically targeted in Murshidabad.

“The police turned a blind eye while Trinamool Congress leaders incited and led the mobs. The silence of Mamata Banerjee on such targeted violence shows her cruelty and partiality,” he said, comparing the incidents to communal attacks from Pahalgam to Murshidabad.

The Janata Dal (United) also condemned the West Bengal government.

JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan told Media, “Mamata Banerjee cannot deny the High Court findings. Her government has become synonymous with anarchy, where political activists, criminals, and police function hand in glove.”

He added that the political environment in Bengal has become so toxic under the Trinamool Congress’s rule that the upcoming elections could see the party facing serious setbacks.

“The horror of Murshidabad has exposed how law and order have been sacrificed for political gains,” he said.

The High Court committee’s report further revealed that 113 houses belonging to Hindu families were damaged during the violence. Valuables worth lakhs, including jewellery, cash, livestock, and household items, were looted or destroyed, sources mentioned.

The victims reportedly made multiple calls to the police for help, but no action was taken. Shockingly, the local police station was situated just 300 meters from the scene of the violence.

New Delhi, May 21: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 34th death anniversary.

Both leaders arrived at Veer Bhumi in New Delhi to offer their solemn respects to the late Prime Minister.

Rajiv Gandhi, who served as India’s Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, assumed office following the assassination of his mother, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. At the age of 40, he became the youngest Prime Minister in Indian history.

Rajiv Gandhi led the country until the 1989 general elections, after which he served as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He resigned in December 1990, just six months before he was assassinated in a brutal terrorist attack.

Marking the occasion, the Congress party shared a tribute on X, stating, “On the death anniversary of the late Shri Rajiv Gandhi, the leader of opposition, Rahul Gandhi visited ‘Veer Bhumi’ and paid his emotional tribute to him. The excellent work done by Rajiv Gandhi in the national interest can never be forgotten.”

Earlier in the day, Mallikarjun Kharge also paid homage to the former leader through a post on X, calling Rajiv Gandhi “a great son of India” who inspired hope among millions.

He wrote, “His visionary and courageous interventions were instrumental in preparing India for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st Century.”

Kharge highlighted some of Rajiv Gandhi’s key contributions to India, stating, “These include lowering the voting age to 18, strengthening Panchayati Raj, spearheading the Telecom and IT revolution, implementing a computerisation program, securing sustained peace accords, launching a universal immunisation program, and introducing a new education policy focused on inclusive learning.”

He concluded his tribute stating, “Our deepest respects to the Former PM, Bharat Ratna, Rajiv Gandhi on his martyrdom day.”

Several other Congress leaders also visited Veer Bhumi to pay their respects.

Congress leader Pawan Khera, speaking to Media, said, “The inspiration this family has given us to shed blood for the country is priceless. It feels like the nation was unfortunate to have lost Rajiv Gandhi at such a young age. Had he been with us today, the history of this country would have been very different and much better.”

Congress veteran Sushil Kumar Shinde also paid homage and told Media, “Whenever we come here, we pay our respects at Veer Bhumi. The contributions Rajiv Gandhi made to our country, especially during this transformative era, will never be forgotten by this nation. What he did for our country is something the nation will always remember.”