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| Killing of Sodhi, others widely mourned | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | May 11
Several political leaders, organizations and individuals have mourned the death of Ashok Sodhi, Photo Journalist of Daily Excelsior and several others, who were killed in an encounter between the militants and the security forces at Samba today.
National Conference Patron Dr Farooq Abdullah and President Omar Abdullah have expressed shock and grief over the death of Sodhi, who lost his life, while performing his duties in Samba area of Jammu region on Sunday.
In a joint statement issued today, the NC leaders said that "Ashok Sodhi will be remembered for his contribution to photo-journalism in the state", "We convey our heartfelt condolence to his widow and children and join his family, friends, and admirers in praying for the departed soul", the message said
The NC leaders said that it was professional commitment and urge for work which claimed the life of Sodhi. He will be remembered like a true solider, who sacrificed his life for his profession commitment, they added.
Ajay Sadhotra, Provincial President J&K National Conference, Jammu province has expressed shock and grief over the killing of innocent persons in a militant encounter in Samba.
Terming the incident as "unfortunate", Ajay Sadhotra impressed upon the state government to take necessary steps to ensure that such incidents never re-occur.
He said Assembly elections are approaching and government should make all out efforts to curb militancy activities and take every effort to save precious lives.
Sadhotra also expressed deep shock and anguish over the death of Ashok Sodhi who was the senior photo-journalist and was fighting for the cause of the people through his profession. He said it is a tragedy and a great loss to the journalist fraternity of the state, which will be difficult to be filled in.
He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the bereaved and prayed for
NC Provincial President demanded that government should pay ex-gratia relief to the next kith and kin of the innocent victims and free specialized medical care to the injured one.
Expressing deep shock and anguish over the death of Sodi, Devender Singh Rana, MLC said that ‘he has lost a personal friend’ and it is a tragedy that such a competent photo-journalist had to die performing his professional duty. Dr Shenaz Ganai NC leader from Poonch has also sent in a message condoling Sodhi’s demise.
Former Minister and sitting MLC Mohammad Sharief Niaz has expressed his grief and shock over the death of Ashok Sodhi in a militant attack at Samba while performing his professional duties. He described him as a gentle man having good reputation in field of journalism as well in social life. He has conveyed his condolence to the family members of the deceased and prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul.
Niaz also demanded release of ex-gratia relief of Rs.5lakhs in favour of the deceased family and also a government job to a family member of the late journalists.
Niaz also conveyed his condolence to the family members of the others deceased those were killed during the militant attack at Samba and also prayed for the eternal peace to the departed souls.
Niaz also demanded release of ex-gratia relief of Rs.5 lakhs in favour of the other deceased families those were killed during the militant attack and also a government job to the deceased families.
Managing Committee of Press Club Jammu has also expressed its profound shock and grief over the death of Sodhi, a senior Photo journalist member of the club.
In a condolence meeting here today the Managing committee observed two minute silence in memory of the departed soul and prayed for his eternal peace.
Speaking on the occasion the members highlighted the services of the deceased for the society in general and his fraternity in particular and said that his martyrdom, attained while performing his professional duties, without caring for his life, would be a shining torch for his fellow journalists.
Kashyap Rajput Sabha has also condoled the death of Ashok Sodhi at an emergent meeting held under the chairmanship of its senior vice president Brij Mehra.
Jammu University Research Scholars while condemning the militant attack at Samba in which several persons including photo journalist Ashok Sodhi lost his life held a protest demonstration in front of the Campus gate and blocked the main road for over half an hour. The protesting students raised slogans against the state government and also torched the effigy of Chief Minister.
Addressing the protestors, Vikas Sharma President JURSEA expressed his concern over the safety of the common cam and criticized the political leaders for their repeated demand of demilitarization.
The activists of JURSEA also observed two minute silence and prayed for the eternal peace to those killed in the Samba encounter.
Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation and Gujjar Bakerwal Joint Forum today in a joint meeting condoled the sad demise of senior Photo journalist Ashok Sodhi..
National secretary of the Foundation Dr. Javaid Rahi has expressed shock and grief over the untimely death of senior Photo journalist Ashok Sodhi.
Recalling his long association with Sodhi, Rahi described him as a keen observer of human feelings and a reputed photo journalist of State who worked for all the communities of the State including Gujjars of the State.
Sheikh Nasir Hussain president working Journalist Association Kishtwar has also expressed shock and grief over the death of Ashok Sodi and said that his contribution to photo-journalism in the state would be remembered for long.
He said it was professional commitment and urge for work which claimed the life of Sodi. He will be remembered like a true solider, who sacrificed his life for his professional commitment. He demanded that government should pay ex-gratia relief to the next kith and kin of the innocent victims and free specialized medical care to the injured.
Medical Employees Association of GMC Hospital has also condoled the killing of Ashok Sodhi and other innocent persons in the Samba encounter.
Addressing a condolence meeting the President of the Association Pardeep Sharma has stressed the need for taking right and timely decision to stop the killings of innocent civilians.
Senior Congress leader and MLC R S Chib has expressed his shock and anguish about the Samba encounter in which several innocent civilians and a Photo journalist were killed.
Expressing deep shock over the death of Hoshiar Singh, his wife and veteran photo journalist Ashok Sodhi, Chib said that the services of Sodhi would be remembered for all times to come adding that in the death of Hoshiar Singh the state has lost a veteran patriotic leader who served the masses of the state in general and Jammu province in particular.
The officers and staff of Information and Public Relations Department have also expressed their extreme grief over the tragic death of photo journalist of Daily Excelsior, Ashok Sodhi, who was killed at Samba today.
In this connection, a condolence meeting was held in the Directorate of Information here under the chairmanship of Director Information, Zaffar Ahmad.
Director Information also spoke to the Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior, S. D. Rohmetra to express his shock over the death of Ashok Sodhi and also conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family of Sodhi and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
A two-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
Similar condolence meetings were also held at all the divisional, district and tehsil offices and other bureaus of the Information Department to pay homage to Sodhi.
Several Ministers including Industries and Commerce Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for CAPD Taj Mohi-ud-Din. Minister for Rural Development Mula Ram, Minister for Higher Education Gulchain Singh Charak, Minister for Roads and Buildings Jugal Kishore Sharma, Minister of State for Power Babu Singh, Minister of State for CAPD S. Manjit Singh and Minister of State for Health Peer Mohammad Hussain have also expressed grief over the killing of Cameraman of "Daily Excelsior" Ashok Sodhi who was killed in a firing incident at Kehli Mandi Samba.
In a joint condolence message, they conveyed the sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Former Minister and JKDP Chief has also expressed grief over the killings at samba in which a photo journalist also lost his life.
Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda has also expressed grief over the tragic death of photo journalist of "Daily Excelsior" Ashok Sodhi. Conveying his sympathies with the bereaved family he said that Sodhi’s professional commitment would always be remembered and serve as an inspiration for budding photo journalists. He prayed for the eternal peace to the departed soul. |
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