Image Courtesy: Kashmir Life: Omkar Nath Bhat outside his home in Haal Shopian.
Pic: Bilal Bahadur
Since July 2016, sustained threats and some sporadic attacks have left the 808 Kashmiri Pandit families in the Valley, threatened. On October 29, 2016, Sabrangindia had reported how a petrol bomb was flung at the home of one such cluster of Pandits living in the Valley. A representation to prime minister Modi had not elicited a response.
Again, yesterday, November 25, a petrol bomb was flung at a cluster of families of Pandits at the Mirhama village in Kulgam around 6.30 p.m. Then another attack took place aimed at a cluster of families living in Traperpora in Shopian district
Yet another representation by Sanjay Tickoo, president of the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti told SabrangIndia to the prime minister has not evoked any response.
The non-migrant Kashmiri Pandir community still living in the vlley consists of 808 families scattered all over conflict-ridden Kashmir. A letter by the Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) through its president, Sanjay Tickoo, clearly lays out that since 1990 –when the mass exodus of Pandits from the valley took place—these 808 Kashmiri Pandit families were provided security from the State Government by creating “Minority Security Pickets” close to the KP dwellings.
These security measures have played a significant role and in building the confidence of minorities living in Valley. However, since early July 2016– after the encounter of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani –this security cover has been withdrawn at most of places, making the minorities more vulnerable.
The text of the Representation to the prime minister may be read here:
To
The Hon’ble Prime Minister,
Union of India,
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi – 110011
Subject: Security Concern of Minorities (Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits) living in Kashmir Valley.
Esteemed Sir,
With reference to the subject cited above it is most humbly submitted as under:
As per government records nearly 808 Kashmiri Pandit families are living in Kashmir Valley after the mass exodus of KP Community after 1990 armed uprising in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. These families are living at different places in the Kashmir Valley and till date these families were provided security from the State Government by creating “Minority Security Pickets” close to the KP dwellings. Though, in Kashmir real security to life is only in the hands of God, Himself, but for presumed security these “Minority Security Pickets” are playing a big role and is one of the basic Security Confidence to the Minorities living in Valley. But after the encounter of Hizb Commander Burhan Wani, this security cover is withdrawn at most of the places, making the minorities more vulnerable for any untoward Security mishaps. Either this is being done deliberately to create Security panic in the minds of minorities and they leave Kashmir of their own or there is some under-cover agenda to pave ways for another massacre of the Kashmiri Pandits living in Kashmir Valley.
It may not be out of place to mention here that after the encounter of Burhan Wani, the count of militants in Kashmir Valley has increased many folds and are causing threat to the security of the State as well as to the minorities living in Kashmir Valley.
As such, it is requested to review the decision of withdrawal of Security to the minorities living in Kashmir Valley at an earliest and a further request that the security be re-install at all the places with additional man force, else it will be clear that some conspiracy with malafide intentions is being hatched against this miniscule community living in Kashmir Valley.
Yours faithfully
Sanjay K. Tickoo
President
+91-9906564741
Copy to the:
1. Hon’ble Chief Minister, State of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar
2. Joint Director, Intelligence Bureau, Gupkar Road, Srinagar
3. Inspector General of Police (CID), State of Jammu and Kashmir, Sgr.