SURAT: Lamenting the security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir at the time of the Pahalgam terror attack, Shital Kalathiya, wife of Surat banker Shailesh Kalathiya (44), demanded justice from the politicians and government for the families of terror victims.
Shital was expressing her anger at the funeral of her husband in the presence of central Jal Shakti minister CR Patil, local MP Mukesh Dalal, and Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi.
Apart from politicians, a large number of people had gathered at Kasturi Bunglows society in the Mota Varachha area of Surat for the last rites of Kalathiya.
Kalathiya, who was working as a manager with State Bank of India in Mumbai, had gone on leave for a vacation in Kashmir.
“All politicians, officials, and security came only after the incident for a photo op, but were not there when my husband needed it most. The terrorist who shot my husband was laughing at that time. He stayed there till my husband died. They separated the tourists based on religion before opening fire. What kind of government is this that could not save its citizens? I want the government to secure the futures of all families who have lost a member,” said Shital.
Shital also said that her family has lost confidence in the security forces, as she alleged that an army man asked, “Who told you to come here?”
“The government cuts the tax before we get our salary. We pay taxes at the time of shopping and also pay toll tax. VIPs get all facilities, including helicopters. But when my husband needed security, he failed to get it,” she alleged.
Kalathiya had gone to Kashmir on a weeklong vacation with his son and daughter.
His son told TOI that terrorists had fixed a camera on a cap. “As we were hungry, we went to have food. Suddenly, the noise of firing bullets started as everyone started running here and there to save their lives. My mother stayed with my father and asked us to go down. The terrorists separated the males based on religion and killed them. The terrorists were wearing a cap with a camera fixed on it,” said Kalathiya’s 10-year-old son.
