Expressing grief over the death of truck conductor Zahid Rasool Bhat, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Sunday said that action would be initiated against the guilty.
In his condolence message, Sayeed regretted the loss of another life due to the 'politics of hate and intolerance that is posing a grave challenge to the state and country's plurality'.
"I have no words to condemn the dastardly act which consumed the life of a poor and innocent young boy for no fault of his," he said.
"Under no circumstances shall those guilty of this barbaric crime be allowed to go unpunished," Sayeed said while expressing his solidarity with the family members of the deceased.
The Chief Minister further directed the official machinery to extend all possible help to the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
Bhat, who succumbed to his injuries at the Safdarjung hospital in the national capital today, sustained 70 percent injuries after a truck in which he was sleeping along with two others was set ablaze by a mob in Udhampur on October 9.
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The Chief Minister, earlier on October 14, had visited the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi to enquire about Bhat's health.
During the visit, he had assured the family members that stringent punishment will be given to those found guilty of this heinous crime.
Five out of eight persons, accused of being involved in the attack have been booked under the Public Safety Act.
The decision to book the five accused under PSA was taken by the District Magistrate of Udhampur, based on a dossier submitted by the district police which pointed out to their criminal history as they had several FIRs lodged against them.