'Your life is life but what about the rest of us': Wife of Surat man who was killed in Pahalgam lashes out at govt

"I want justice for all the innocent people who were killed there. There was no facility..no security of the army or police. In a VIP convoy you have so much security cover and even helicopters fly over your head. Where do you get that money?, Shital Kalathiya said.

Ahmedabad: Shital Kalathiya, wife of Surat banker Shailesh Kathaliya, who was among the victims of Pahalgam terror act, on Thursday lashed out at the government for not providing any security measures at the famous tourist spot.

"I want justice for all the innocent people who were killed there. There was no facility..no security of the army or police. In a VIP convoy you have so much security cover and even helicopters fly over your head. Where do you get that money?

"I was screaming at the army camp to make haste as so many injured needed urgent medical attention. There was not even a first aid kit available. The terrorists segregated the Muslims and Hindus and killed Hindu men. What was our army doing? Lakhs of them are deployed there. Instead, one army man told me why did we come here in the first place," said Shital as she burst out in anger in front of union minister CR Paatil who had come to pay homage to her husband in Surat.

In the video of their interaction in the presence of hundreds of people at the funeral in Surat, Shital is asking for justice for her and all those innocent men who were killed. She is heard bursting out in anger to say how VIPs get security cover but there is no value of life of the taxpayers.

"What kind of government do we have. You are defaming Kashmir but it there is no problem with Kashmir. It was the problem of lack of security. There was no security despite a large number of tourists on that place. How many security vehicles follow you as VIP. Your life is life but what about the lives of those tax payers," she said.

"You cut taxes from our salary. We pay you tax on everything we buy, we pay you toll tax but when my husband needed security, he didn't get anything from you. It is not just my case but every innocent lives that were lost. I am seeking justice for everyone. You shut the place and say that it is not a tourist place," Shital said even as many tried to stop her.

"What about my children? What about their future" They want to become doctor and engineering. I have lost the pillar of my life. Who is going to take care of them," she demanded.

Her son also told media that within ten minutes after the family reached Pahalgam, terrorists had arrived. "One (terrorist) asked Hindus and Muslims to separate and shot dead Hindus. Then, they left and we were told run away. My mom refused to run but she had to for me and my sister. I saw two terrorists with guns," he said.

When asked if he had anything to say to the government, he said, "Such a big terrorist attack happened but government didn't know. There was no security from Army."