KPs demand safe accommodation, secure posting
Sajid Raina
Srinagar/ Jammu Tawi, May 16:
Protests against the killing of an Hindu government employee belonging to the migrant Kashmiri Pandit community by militants inside at Tehsil office last week continued in Kashmir for the fifth consecutive day on Monday.
The Kashmir Pandits continue their protests in Vessu area of Qazigund against innocent killings in Kashmir.
Protestors on the occasion said that government is issuing statements on their own without taking Kashmiri Pandits on board.
Former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Gh Nabi Azad talked to protesters on phone and assured them that he is going to take up their issues with centre and their all genuine demands will be accepted.
PAGD spokesperson and CPIM leader M Y Tarigami who visited Vessu Qazigund on Monday requested protestors not to leave Kashmir as it is no solution and it is duty of everyone to protect everyone.
On the occasion, Tarigami said that it will be festival for both Pandits and Muslims when both communities will live together here safely.
“Keep government assurances aside, the need of the hour at present is that Pandits need assurances from Muslim community about their safety. All civil society members and common people must come forward to assure pandits about their safety to keep enemies of brotherhood at bay,” he said.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that Kashmir Pandit employee, Rahul Bhatt's killing is being used to spread hatred between Hindus and Muslims in J&K.
Talking to reporters here, Mehboob said that the PAGD leaders met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha yesterday and apprised him about the need to change the policy on the ground that had deteriorated the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The recent killing of Rahul Bhatt is being used to spread hatred. There is a need to ensure secure atmosphere to the Kashmir Pandits,” she said.
Last week, Rahul Bhat, an employee of the Revenue department working under Prime Minister's Rehabilitation Package (PMRP), was shot dead by militants inside the tehsil office Chadoora in central Kashmir's Budgam district.
The protesting KP's also held a candlelight march in several areas of the valley this evening to pay homage to their colleague. They have vowed to continue their protest until their demands are met.
“Scores of Kashmiri Pandits, assembled at Kheerbhawani, Tulmulla area of central Kashmir's Ganderbal district and staged a protest seeking their safety and justice for their colleague,” witnesses told. “Holding placards and photographs of their colleague they raised slogans against the government,” they said.
In Budgam district, the KP's protest was also witnessed inside Pandit migrant colony where the protesters urged the LG administration to step up security and ensure safe and secure environment for all them.
Similar protests were also held in Kashmir's Anantnag district where the protesters also set afire effigies depicting the present government.
Angry with the administration, the protesters were demanding justice for their colleague who was killed in Budgam. The protesters said that they are being deceived by the administration for their safety which they will never tolerate. In Vessu area, a group of Kashmiri Pandit who have been on strike for the last five days demanded their relocation to safe places outside the Valley. “The government should take steps to protect us this is the demand of our community all over Kashmir at this time, ” said a protester.
The bloodshed should be stopped on their community. This is what the protesters were demanding in Veerwan migrant colony of Baramulla. “Rahul Hum Sharminda Hai Tumhare Katil zinda hai” raising this slogan, the protesters continued their protest today.
However, DC Baramulla Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar said that the KP's will be kept in safe locations and the administration is taking necessary steps to ensure their safety and the community will get full support from the administration regarding their genuine demands so that they can live their normal life.
