Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Rich tributes were paid to Tika Lal Taploo, Prem Nath Bhat and other martyrs on the occasion of Balidan Divas today who laid down their lives in Kashmir and other parts of Jammu region in terrorist violence to protect the unity and integrity of the nation.
On the occasion of Balidan Divas Kashmiri Pandits established a grand martyrs memorial (Balidan Stambh) at Muthi Ghat and paid Samoohik floral tributes were paid to all the martyrs of Pandit community and those from other parts of Jammu region who laid down their lives in terror attacks during last 28 years.
The Balidan Stambh was inaugurated by MLC Ajay Bharati along with Swami Kumar Ji at Muthi Ghat where a memorial has been established by the Athrot Cultural Society headed by Kanwal Peshin, a well known artist.
Twenty eight Diyas were lit by the community members who assembled there and paid floral tributes after praying for the peace to the departed souls who were martyred by the terrorists since 1990.
Speaking on the occasion Ajay Bharati MLC said that Kashmiri Pandit should never forget the supreme sacrifices made by the community members for being Hindus and upholding Indian nationalism adding the real tribute would be to work for the welfare of the society and bringing solace to the people uprooted from Kashmir valley.
Swami Kumar Ji read Bhagwat Geeta Shalokas on the occasion for the peace of the noble souls who laid down their lives in terrorist strike. The representatives of Samajik Vikas Sansthan led by Kuldeep Raina which has developed the Muthi Ghat were also present.
Prominent among those who attended the programme and paid floral tributes included Kiran Wattal ex Commissioner, JMC, LakshmiKaul from UK, BJP leader, Virender Kuchroo, Ashok Kangan, Hira Lal Bhat, Prof Virender Rawal, Ravi Mahaldar, Anil Bhat, King C Bharati, MurarJi Koul, Upender Ambardar, Prem Nath Shad, Rajesh Khar, Sameer Bhat, Vijay Raina, Jatinder Jotshi, ArvinTickoo etc.
In commemoration of K P Balidan Divas, K P Joint Action held a protest demonstration today. The protesters, shouting slogans and displaying placards depicting the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus and Kashmiri Sikhs in Kashmir demanded justice for the community. The Balidan Divas comes in the backdrop of the recent visit of the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the State and leaders of KP community made a forceful presentation before him for relief and rehabilitation of the seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs leading an exiled life for last 28 years in their own country till now, said KP Joint Action Committee Chairman Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo.
He said issues related to the genocide and ethnic cleansing of KPs are very sensitive and emotional so the community has demanded setting up of a Special Crimes Tribunal that would investigate all those cases of murder, mayhem and persecution of KPs in Kashmir and also fix responsibility on the perpetrators of such crimes against humanity and bring them to justice.
General secretary KP Joint Action and youth leader R K Bhat said that recent decision of the court in favour of 221 left over candidates has vindicated the YAIKS stand and is a morale boost for the struggling youth and community. He demanded restructuring of the entire special employment package for the KP youth to make it more humane and there should be no draconian conditions attached to it. Senior leader Dr A N Pandita, Roshan Lal and Virender Raina National spokesperson PK also spoke on the occasion.
Glowing tributes were paid to the martyrs at a programme organized by ASKPC at its Headquarters Durga Nagar today.
Paying tributes to martyrs president of the organization Advocate Ravinder Raina expressed dismay that successive Governments failed to bring the culprits to book and they are still roaming freely. He demanded that community be given justice and reiterated the demand that a probe be initiated to fix responsibility that who were responsible for the mass exodus of Pandits.
Prof A N Sadhu, former HoD Economics University of Jammu, while paying tributes to martyrs said that the community should remain united and fight jointly so that the sacrifices of these martyrs will not go waste.
Well known freelancer Shiban Khiabri also stressed on unity among the community to attain the goal. He said community should launch a decisive battle for its rights.
Former president ASKPC R K Raina, while paying rich tributes to martyrs said that they laid their lives for the unity and integrity of the nation. The tributes to martyrs were also paid by Dr T K Bhat general secretary ASKPC, advocate Kashmiri Lal, Swami Kumar Ji, Dr Roshan Saraf, Chand Ji Bhat president displaced district BJP, Veena Gurtu, senior BJP leader, Virender Kuchroo, H L Bhat, general secretary JKVM, Shoky Lidhu and others who resolved to take the present struggle to its logical conclusion.
Rich tributes were paid to martyrs by Kashmiri Khatri Hindu Maha Sabha and other organizations at Jagti under the leadership of Er Ramesh Chander.
APMCC organized a function at Vitasta Veerinag under the leadership of its chairman Vinod Pandit in which rich tributes were paid to Hindu martyrs who laid down their lives in Valley since 1931. Pandita demanded that their killers who have already been identified be punished under law and justice be given to community.
Kashmir Samiti Delhi held a programme at Martyr B K Ganjoo Park New Delhi in which Minister of State for Railways and Telecommunication Manoj Sinha was the chief guest. T N Razdhan a socio political leader and convener Panun Kashmir, Dr Agnishekhar also participated in it. They paid rich tributes to martyrs and resolved that their sacrifice will not be allowed to go waste.
Sushil Pandit a well known TV debater and president Samiti Vijay Raina also paid tributes to martyrs on the occasion and stressed on unity in the rank and file of the community.
Kashmir Pandit Conference (KPC) observed the day as black day and its activists wore black badges and switched off the lights of their residences and other business establishments as a mark of protest against the killing of innocent people by terrorists supported by Pak.
KPC president Kundan Kashmiri paid glowing tributes to martyrs of the KP community and those from Jammu region as well as members of the security forces. He said the situation is grim in the Valley at present which has created a sense of insecurity among the minorities living there.
Another programme was held at Sharda Colony Patoli Brahmana Jammu under the chairmanship of Badri Nath Kher to pay homage to martyrs. On the occasion Dr Ramesh Bhat recited the Shalokas from Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and prayed for the peace of martyrs.
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