Fear stalks Kashmir’s brick kilns after terrorists kill 2 migrant workers
Two migrant labourers were killed Friday evening in Kulgam, causing panic among workers. Brick kilns across south Kashmir halted operations as labourers stayed indoors. Many workers expressed concerns about their safety and earning a living. Security forces visited the kilns and assured the labourers of protection. Officials directed authorities to ensure the safety of all migrant workers.
Kulgam, South Kashmir experienced a chilling halt to brick manufacturing activities on Saturday following the unfortunate killing of two migrant workers. As the news spread, migrant laborers, including Sunil Kumar and Renku Yadav, stayed indoors in fear of further violence. The attack, which occurred barely 2km away from their kiln, has reignited concerns about rising targeted killings of non-native individuals in the region.
In 2022, a series of attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 10 laborers. These incidents seem to target "soft targets," such as migrant workers who flock to Kashmir between March and November for seasonal work in agriculture, construction, and brick kilns. Despite past attacks, Kumar, who has been working in the region since 2007, maintains that life remains peaceful when not under threat.
Workers like Kumar from Lucknow receive a monthly wage of Rs 18,000 and have no choice but to continue working to make a living. Brick kiln owners worry that a repeat of past attacks could lead to a mass exodus, severely impacting their businesses. Authorities, including Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, have pledged their commitment to protecting migrant workers, with plans to address the security concerns raised by this tragic event.
Political leaders have also weighed in on the issue, with some questioning the timing of such attacks in relation to calls for J&K's statehood restoration, while others criticized the politicization of a moment of grief.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
