LG visits family of Rahul Bhat

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha consoling the family members of Rahul Bhat during visit to his residence at Durga Nagar, Jammu on Tuesday.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha consoling the family members of Rahul Bhat during visit to his residence at Durga Nagar, Jammu on Tuesday.

‘Probe in killing in final stage’

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, May 24: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today said that the probe into the killing of Rahul Bhat, an employee of Tehsil office of Chadoora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district who was gunned down on May 12 in his office by militants is in final stage and those responsible for the same have been identified.

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Sinha, who visited the house of Rahul Bhat here at Durga Nagar informed this to his family members. “The probe in the killing is in final stage and those responsible for this heinous act have been identified”, Sinha told Bitu Ji Bhat father of Rahul Bhat.
He offered condolences to the bereaved family. The Lt Governor who was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, ADGP Jammu, Mukesh Singh and DC Jammu, Avny Lavasa gave on spot instructions to Divisional Commissioner to settle the employment issue of Rahul Bhat’s wife within week’s time by offering her the better job instead of Class IV post in view of her qualification.
Sinha also assured that Government will take full care of education of martyr’s daughter and family has nothing to worry for that.
Regarding the demand of compensation, the LG informed the family that the amount of Rs five lakh as an ex-graita for such cases has been earmarked by Ministry of Home Affairs and still he will try his best at his level to see what more can be done in this regard.
However, Sinha did not make any commitment regarding the transfer of Rahul’s kin who is also working in Kashmir valley under PM package to Jammu as was demanded by the family, Bittu Ji Bhat told Excelsior.
The Lt Governor also consoled Rahul’s sobbing wife and grief stricken family members.
Bhat (35), who got the job of a clerk under the special employment package for migrants in 2010-11, was shot dead by Lashkar-e-Toiba militants at his office in the Chadoora area of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on May 12.
After the Lt Governor left the house, Rahul’s father Bitu Jee Bhat said Sinha assured his family of all possible help from the Government.
“We were assured that the Government will do whatever possible to provide relief to us,” he said.
Rahul’s wife said an assurance was given that she will get a better job besides the expenses for the education of her daughter would be borne by the Government.
The agitated Kashmiri Pandits are demanding adequate compensation and a Government job for the wife of the deceased.
Some organisations of the Kashmiri Pandits, however, expressed their satisfaction over the steps taken by the LG who visited Sheikhpora migrant camp yesterday and martyred Rahul Bhat’s family today and expressed the hope that the Government will take all possible steps in solving the problems of the PM package employees protesting for last 12 days in different parts of Kashmir valley demanding their relocation of jobs.
They said that the confidence of the package employees has been totally shaken due to selective killings by militants that too inside the Government offices. Prior to killing of Rahul Bhat in Tehsil office during broad day light, two teachers including one Principal of Higher Secondary School were gunned down in the school premises in downtown Srinagar by the militants, said Satish Kissu convener, Kashmiri Pandit United Front.
He expressed the hope that steps taken by Lt Governor shows that the administration will take all steps in solving the genuine problems of package employees.
Meanwhile, the protest by package employees also continued in all camps in Kashmir Valley demanding their relocation to outside Valley. They warned not to budge an inch from their stand till their demands are conceded.
Senior BJP leaders, Ajay Bharti, H L Bhat, Rajiv Pandita and Moti Lal Bhat today visited Tulmulla and Mattan migrant camps and assured all support to the package employees. They urged the Government to address the security concerns of the migrants in Valley.
Senior Trade Union leaders, P L Koul Budgami and Raj Nath Raina have also urged the Government to address the concerns of package employees immediately. They alleged there is total administrative apathy towards package employees who face total discrimination through the hands of officers.
Pt Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust also held a meeting here today and extended full support to the package employees. The working chairman of the Trust Bansi Lal Zar urged the Government to take the package employees issue seriously in view of the threat given by various militant outfits.