People express grief over veteran BJP leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta’s demise.

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, AUGUST 17:–Veteran BJP leader, a freedom fighter from Rajouri town and ex-chairman, ex-minister of state, and vice chairman of Pahari Advisory Board J&K passed away on Wednesday in a hospital in Jammu after a brief spell of illness.
He was one of the eyewitnesses of brutalities committed by the Pakistani invaders when they entered the town in 1947 when the people of India were celebrating the first Diwali in Independent India.
The cremation will take place on Thursday at 11.30 am as per family sources at Shanti Ghat Rajouri.
People from every walk of life visit his residence to pay their last respect to the veteran leader not only of the town but from the entire Pir Panjal region.
In a Tweet, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed grief over the demise of Kuldeep Raj Gupta and said: “Extremely saddened to hear the passing away of Sh. Kuldeep Raj Gupta, a prominent Pahari leader from Rajouri. He was deeply committed to the welfare of economically weaker classes. In his death, we lost a social worker of great promise. My condolences to the family & admirers”.
The Pahari Cultural &Welfare Forum also condoles the demise of a senior BJP leader who continued his support in favour of ST Status to the Pahari Tribe.
Former Minster, Sayed Mushtaq Bukhari; ex-MLC Jahangir Mi;r ex- MLC Rashid Qureshi; ex-MLC Zaffar Manhas; ex-MLC Sayeed Rafiq Hussain Shah: ex-MLC Murtza Khan; DDDC member Iqbal Malik (Darhal); DDC member Abdul Qayoum Mir (Thanamandi); IGP Raja Aijaz Ali (retd); JKPPM Chairman Shahbaz Khan; BDC Chairperson Shamshad Begum; BDC Chairperson Rozzy Zaffar; BDC Chairperson Mohd Aslam; BJP youth leader Manzoor Naik; Bar Association President Haq Nawaz Mirza; have also expressed grief over the demise of Kuldeep Raj Gupta an honest and dedicated leader.
“The demise of Kuldeep Raj Gupta is a great loss to the entire Peer Panchhal region & especially for Pahari Community,” they said.
Senior Congress Leaders have deeply condoled the sad demise of Kuldeep Raj Gupta. Ravinder Sharma, JKPCC leader along with others termed him as a dedicated leader of BJP and a bold voice of the region who always raised the voice for the welfare of the poor & downtrodden & was instrumental in promoting peace & harmony in the societ