Chhattisgarh CM announces ₹20 lakh aid for Kulgam terror attack victims' kin
Synopsis
Two Chhattisgarh migrant workers were shot dead by terrorists at a brick kiln in Kulgam, J&K, after reportedly being engaged in conversation for 10 minutes before the attack. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced ₹20 lakh each for their families and is appointing a nodal officer to fast-track the relief — a rare inter-state coordination mechanism triggered by the killing.
Key Takeaways
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai announced ₹20 lakh each for the families of two migrant workers killed in Kulgam, J&K , on 31 July 2026 .
Victims identified as Deepak Ratray (24) and Bhopinder Kumar (28), both employed at a brick kiln in Kelam village , Kulgam.
Ratray was killed on the spot; Kumar succumbed to chest injuries the following day in hospital.
Terrorists reportedly spoke with the workers for about 10 minutes before opening fire, according to Deputy CM Vijay Sharma .
A nodal officer is being appointed to coordinate with the J&K government for timely disbursal of the announced aid.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on 1 August 2026 announced financial assistance of ₹20 lakh each for the families of two migrant labourers from the state who were killed in a terrorist attack in Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 31 July 2026. The government also said a nodal officer would be appointed to coordinate with the J&K administration for timely disbursal of the aid.
Who the Victims Were
The two workers, identified as Deepak Ratray, aged 24, and Bhopinder Kumar, aged 28, were employed at a brick kiln in Kelam village (also referred to as Kellam) in Kulgam. Terrorists targeted them at the worksite on the evening of 31 July 2026. Ratray was killed on the spot, while Kumar, who sustained serious chest injuries, succumbed the following day at a hospital.
What the Chief Minister Said
In a post on his X handle, Chief Minister Sai described the killings as 'extremely painful and heart-wrenching,' condemning the attack in the strongest terms. He said the Chhattisgarh government stands firmly with the bereaved families and assured them of every possible support. Sai called the incident 'a very sad and inhuman act' and prayed for peace to the souls of the deceased and strength for their grieving relatives.
Deputy CM Condemns the Attack
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma also condemned the assault, calling it a 'very cruel act.' According to Sharma, the terrorists reportedly engaged the two workers in conversation for approximately 10 minutes before suddenly opening fire — a detail that underscores the premeditated nature of the assault. Sharma asserted that those responsible would be hunted down and neutralised.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
The Kulgam attack is the latest in a series of incidents targeting migrant workers in J&K, raising concerns about the security of labourers from other states who travel to the region for seasonal employment. This comes amid ongoing counter-insurgency operations in south Kashmir. The appointment of a nodal officer signals Chhattisgarh's intent to cut through inter-state bureaucratic delays in delivering the announced relief. How swiftly the ₹20 lakh reaches each family will be a measure of that commitment.
Point of View
Far from home, and largely outside the security net. The ₹20 lakh announcement is a humane gesture, but the real question is delivery: inter-state relief coordination has historically been slow, which is why the nodal officer appointment matters more than the headline figure. Chhattisgarh's response also puts pressure on the Centre to address the structural security gap around migrant worksites in conflict-affected districts — something that ad hoc compensation alone cannot fix.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Chhattisgarh workers killed in the Kulgam terror attack?
The two workers were Deepak Ratray , aged 24, and Bhopinder Kumar , aged 28, both migrant labourers from Chhattisgarh employed at a brick kiln in Kelam village, Kulgam. Ratray was killed on the spot on 31 July 2026, while Kumar succumbed to chest injuries the following day.
How much aid has the Chhattisgarh government announced for the victims' families?
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced ₹20 lakh each for the families of both deceased workers. A nodal officer is being appointed to coordinate with the J&K government to ensure the relief is delivered without delay.
What did the Chhattisgarh Deputy CM say about the attack?
Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma called it a 'very cruel act' and said the terrorists reportedly spoke with the two workers for about 10 minutes before suddenly opening fire. He asserted that those responsible would be hunted down and neutralised.
Why are migrant workers being targeted in J&K?
Security analysts have flagged a pattern of terrorists targeting migrant labourers — often from other states — in J&K as a tactic to spread fear and disrupt economic activity. The Kulgam attack is among the latest in this series, raising concerns about the adequacy of security at worksites in conflict-affected districts.
What happens next for the victims' families?
The Chhattisgarh government is appointing a nodal officer to liaise with J&K authorities and ensure the announced ₹20 lakh per family is disbursed in a timely manner. The state has also assured the families of all possible support beyond the financial aid.
