Thirty-six-year-old Bitan Adhikari, who worked in the US and had returned to Kolkata to spend time with his wife and son, was among those killed in the terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.
A resident of Patuli in Kolkata, Bitan was holidaying in Kashmir with his wife Sohini and three-year-old son.
According to their neighbours, the Adhikari family had gone to Kashmir on April 16 and were supposed to return on April 24.
Dipak, his cousin, who was in tears, said: “They were facing some financial troubles. So, I had suggested them to go for a vacation. Bitan had returned from the US on April 8. On Bengali New Year, we had gone out to celebrate, and on April 16, they left for Kashmir. They asked me to come with them, but I declined. We used to speak daily, and I repeatedly told them not to go for a horse ride. See what happened today. How will I show my face to his child?”
Rathindranath Krishna, a neighbour, said: “Bitan used to stay in America due to work purpose, while his wife and son stayed here in Kolkata. We all are shocked to hear this.”
Upon hearing the news, TMC minister Aroop Biswas visited Adhikari’s residence and assured the bereaved family of all the help.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who spoke to Bitan’s wife over the phone, posted on social media: “My heart goes out to the families of the victims of the devastating terrorist attack on the tourists in Jammu and Kashmir today. One of the victims, Sri Bitan Adhikari, is from West Bengal. I have talked with his wife over the phone. Though no words are enough to console her in this hour of grief, I have assured her that my government is taking all steps to bring back his mortal remains to his house in Kolkata. My deepest condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this inhuman act of terror.”
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
