---
title: "Abdullah Condemns Kulgam Killings as Statehood Protests Gain Momentum"
url: https://projectchintan.com/article/abdullah-condemns-kulgam-killings-as-statehood-protests-gain-momentum-r8c01
publisher: Project Chintan
author: Project Chintan Newsroom
section: India
published: 2026-08-01T12:37:07.000Z
modified: 2026-08-01T15:01:18.022Z
language: en-IN
---

# Abdullah Condemns Kulgam Killings as Statehood Protests Gain Momentum

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced financial aid for the families of two laborers killed in Kulgam while vowing to continue the fight for statehood restoration. The victims, Deepak Ratray and Bopinder, were targeted at a brick kiln on July 31, 2026.

## Key takeaways

- Two migrant laborers from Chhattisgarh, Deepak Ratray and Bopinder, were killed in a terror attack at a Kulgam brick kiln on July 31, 2026.
- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced ₹10 lakh in ex gratia relief per family, totaling ₹16 lakh with district aid.
- Abdullah reaffirmed his commitment to the restoration of statehood, citing promises made by the Central Government in the Supreme Court.
- The Chief Minister signaled that protests for statehood will continue in various forms across both Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi.

## Violence Targets Migrant Laborers in South Kashmir

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah issued a stern condemnation on Saturday following a lethal insurgent attack in the Kulgam district of south Kashmir. Late on Friday, July 31, 2026, gunmen targeted a brick kiln in the Kelam area, resulting in the deaths of two migrant workers. The victims, identified as Deepak Ratray and Bopinder, both in their 20s, had traveled from Chhattisgarh to the valley to seek employment.

Security forces, including Army jawans, immediately cordoned off the sector located roughly 70 kilometers from Srinagar. Addressing reporters, Abdullah emphasized the tragedy of targeting innocent individuals who were merely seeking an honest livelihood. While acknowledging that financial measures cannot alleviate the grief of the bereaved families, the government has moved to provide fiscal support.

## Relief Measures and Financial Assistance

The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia relief package to assist the families during this period of crisis. The administration’s response includes:
- A direct contribution of ₹10 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s office.
- Immediate assistance of ₹6 lakh per family previously authorized by the district administration.
- Total compensation reaching ₹16 lakh for each victim's household.

Abdullah remarked that while these funds represent a small effort to provide stability, no monetary value can compensate for the loss of life or the suffering endured by the families of these young men.

## The Broader Struggle for Statehood

Beyond the immediate security crisis, Abdullah addressed the political friction between Srinagar and New Delhi regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir. Referring to a recent demonstration at Jantar Mantar, he asserted that the demand for the restoration of statehood is not a fleeting campaign but a sustained movement. He drew a parallel to student protesters who demonstrated for 25 days to achieve their goals, suggesting that the path to statehood would require similar persistence.

The Chief Minister noted that the demand is rooted in formal assurances. "We are only reminding the Central Government to fulfill its promise," Abdullah stated, citing records from the Supreme Court and parliamentary sessions where the return of statehood was explicitly pledged. He further linked the necessity of honoring political commitments to recent government assurances regarding the NEET paper leak controversy, arguing that if the state makes a promise to its citizens, it must be upheld.

Source: The Hindu — National

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Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/abdullah-condemns-kulgam-killings-as-statehood-protests-gain-momentum-r8c01
Reported from: The Hindu — National