The Kahmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has strongly condemned the organised killings of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley stating that an extremist version of an Islamist ideology is behind the six month long killings.

“Since 1990, the dark times for Kashmiri Pandits continue in Kashmir and the world has turned deaf and blind on this issue which involves (the) lives and security of the innocent religious minorities living in Kashmir. Islamic Countries and Scholars repeatedly claim that terror doesn’t have a religion, but they need to see in Kashmir that here it not only has a religion but a face too,” says a press release issued today.

The lone voice call for a hartal was met with a mixed response today. Last night a peaceful candle light vigil was held at the village Achan in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district after the tragic killing by shooting of Sanjay Kumar Sharma in his home yesterday. This was the lone family in the village left. 

This shooting is the last in a long line of attacks on civilians in 2022. It took place barely 50 metres from Sanjay’s home in Achan village of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. The two-storey house has been provided with round-the-clock security by the J&K administration following a string of targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits over the last more than two years, yet the man was gunned down in cold blood. 

The Pulwama Kashmiri Collective went to Achan and met Sanjay Sharma's family. A candle light vigil this evening. 

The KPSS goes on to state that, “World needs to understand clearly that killing of religious minorities and “Kashmiryat” go hand in hand in Kashmir and slowly and steadily Radical Kashmiris are forcing innocent Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus to leave Kashmir as they did in 1990. Decisions taken by the Government of India in August 2019 have exposed the Kashmiri Society and its social fabric. Two out of Ten have turned OGWs for these Terror Organisations who are responsible for the killing of Kashmiri Pandits and other religious minorities in Kashmir Valley…..

“KPSS, takes strong note of the situation in Kashmir Valley and reminds the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister to intervene on a high level and accept the failure of the current Lt. Governor to address the issue of security of the religious minorities in Kashmir Valley particularly Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits who have become fodder in between Government, Terrorists and Migrant Kashmiri Pandits living luxurious lives outside Kashmir Valley.”

Meanwhile the All Parties Hurriyat Conference led by incarcerated Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed grief and sorrow on the killing of Sanjay Sharma in Pulwama yesterday. Condemning the gruesome act, it expressed sympathies and condolences with the bereaved family. APHC said that killing of human beings in such manner is a tragedy that Kashmir has been witnessing for the past three and a half decades now, with no seeming end in near future. 

The APHC also states that, “State policy of extreme repression and unilateral interventions countered by equally extreme and viscous vengeance is a vortex we have got caught into, leading to extreme suffering of Kashmiris of all hues. In this situation Kashmiri pandits living in Kashmir unfortunately have become sitting ducks. Besides, in the prevailing coercive environment with no space for outreach, contact among communities and people is also fast disappearing. 

“APHC said that after political disempowerment, economic assault is systematically being foisted on people of J&K. As the eviction and demolition drive has been put on hold, new taxes are being imposed on people, still recovering from economic impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Arbitrary dismissals of Kashmiris from government service by authorities also continues with three more state employees dismissed yesterday.  Such policies only exacerbate the situation. The APHC said that authorities should reconsider all these measures rather than continue with them. People of J&K majority and the minorities, like people all over have every right to life, their resources and economic decisions.” 

Clearly both sides of the religious divide are alienated and frightened while a seemingly helpless Indian state looks on.

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