Exodus of Pandits from Kashmir again

Jammu: Where the government was making promises and claims of the return of Pandits in the Kashmir Valley and the reality is that once again the exodus has started from here. After the recent terror attacks targeting the minority community, the fear has spread to such an extent that many families have fled to Jammu to save their lives. These Kashmiri Pandits have demanded strict action against the culprits and protection to the minorities. Demonstrations were held in many places in Jammu on Saturday against the attacks.

Terrorists killed 7 people in Kashmir Valley within 5 days. Of these, 4 belonged to the minority community and 6 of the murders took place in the summer capital, Srinagar. A Kashmiri Pandit in Jammu said, “I have been working as a teacher for 20 years. I had returned to Kashmir Valley only a few years back after promotion, but suddenly the situation worsened due to selective killings and I am back.

He also said that he had not faced any problem during his posting in the Kashmir Valley for three years. The teacher said, “We lived like brothers with Muslim colleagues and neighbours.” He claimed that many Kashmiri families, including those who got jobs under the Prime Minister’s package, have left Kashmir and moved to Jammu.

Sanjay Bhat, who reached Jagti Camp on Saturday, said that there is fear among the minorities in the valley after the latest killings. “There is fear among the minority community in the Valley like in 2016 (after the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani) when protests were going on there. Despite the abrogation of Article 370, we had to return to Jammu.

Another Kashmiri Pandit displaced said he did not want to return to the Valley. He said before asking Kashmiri Pandits to return, the government should take steps to instill confidence in them. Another teacher said that the zonal education officer Ganderbal, through an official order, asked him to report at the Kheer Bhavani temple. “In another order, we were exempted from reporting on duty. There was no mention of food in it. We feel that it is better to return than to die of hunger.

Another person claimed that nothing has changed in the Valley in the last few years. “The situation is still the same today as it was in 1990, when we migrated from Kashmir. My two sons are working in Kupwara district and are returning in next few hours.

A group of migrant Pandits belonging to Panun Kashmir took out a candle march on Saturday evening to pay tribute to the members of the community killed by terrorists. A spokesman for Panun Kashmir said, “The government should review the security to create a conducive environment for the minorities in the Kashmir Valley.” Before asking to talk to their representatives.