Widespread protests by Pandits in Valley
*2 LeT militants responsible for killing identified: IGP
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 12 : A Government employee belonging to Kashmiri Pandit community, working in Tehsil office Chadoora in district Budgam, was shot dead inside the office premises today.
Militants barged into the Tehsil office Chadoora and fired from a close range at a Government employee, Rahul Bhat, working under Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP), as a clerk. He was immediately referred to Srinagar hospital where doctors declared him dead.
Soon after the incident, police officials rushed to the spot and launched a massive manhunt to nab the militants responsible for the killing. Massive search operations were launched at various places across Budgam district to nab the killers of the employee. “Check-points were set up at various points to ensure those involved in the act are zeroed in,” an official said.
The body of Bhat reached Sheikhpora migrant colony in the evening. A pall of gloom descended on the entire KP community putting up at the Sheikhpora colony. Amid wails and cries, the KP members demanded punishment for the attackers. The body of slain Rahul is likely to be sent to Jammu for last rites. Click here to watch video
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that militants responsible for the killing of Bhat have been identified as Aqib Sher Gojri, a new recruit, and Lateef Ahmad Rather, a recycled militant after he was released from jail. He said that they are from Lashkar-e-Toiba and barged into the Tehsil office and shot Bhat from point blank range using pistol.
The killing of Rahul triggered massive protest at migrant Pandit Colony Sheikhpora, Budgam, where Rahul was residing. Scores of Pandits living in the Colony sat on the road in protest and termed the killing as a major security lapse. Raising slogans against the Bhartiya Janta Party and demanding stern action against the killers, they said: “We aren’t secure at all. BJP Government too has failed us.”
Migrant Kashmiri Pandits (KPs), majority of them government employees working under PM package, today came out on roads at various places across Kashmir to register their protest against the killing of Bhat.
The protestors also blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway outside Vessu migrant KP colony, Qazigund in Anantnag district to protest against the killings. They also lit candles to register their protest.
One of the protesters said that the migrant KPs were being targeted earlier and now during the BJP rule as well. “If rehabilitation costs life, we will prefer to resign enmass and flee Kashmir forever,” he said.
“We are being made soft targets by militants. Militants should also clear their policy. If they are out to kill all of us, they should tell us clearly. But the fact remains that the Government has failed to protect us despite making tall claims,” he said.
The protestors blocked the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Qazigund leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours. A massive protest was also held at Sheikhpora, Budgam outside the migrant KP colony where women and men of the Pandit community sat on the middle of the road in protest against the killing of Bhat.
A woman protestor said that they have not come to Kashmir to get killed. “Is this rehabilitation BJP has promised us? We don’t want this rehabilitation. Police must nab the killers of Rahul. We also want to know why militants are killing us,”? she asked.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar visited Sheikhpora, Budgam to express solidarity and sympathy with the fellow colleagues of the slain employee. However, the protestors insisted him to bring Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to the spot.
“Why are these killings taking place. Who are Kashmir Tigers, and why are they killing us,” a woman protester asked Kumar. “If they want to kill us, why don’t they kill us all in one go.”
Another massive protest was held along the Pulwama-Shopian highway outside KP migrant colony Nikas. They raised slogans against the administration for failing to provide them security.
“Government should strengthen our security cover so that no such killing takes place in future,” the protestors said.
Protests were also reported from northern district of Baramulla where Pandit members assembled at Pandit Colony Veerwan, who demanded justice and protection to KPs working under PM’s package.
As many as 14 people belonging to Jammu and Kashmir’s minority Hindu community, including Kashmiri Pandits, have been killed by militants in various parts of Kashmir between August 2019 and March 2022. Those targeted included prominent businessmen, sarpanchs and block development council members.
There has been a spurt in attacks on non-Muslims and outsiders living in Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, in August 2019.
The incident evoked wide-spread condemnations from all quarters. “Strongly condemn the barbaric killing of Rahul Bhat, a Government employee working at the Tehsil office in Chadoora by terrorists at Budgam. My heartfelt condolences to the family,” Union MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh tweeted. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha tweeted: “I strongly condemn the barbaric killing of Rahul Bhat by militants at Budgam. Those behind this despicable terror attack will not go unpunished. J&K Government stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”
Former Chief Ministers and mainstream political leaders condemned the killing.
National Conference (NC) President and Member of Parliament, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, said that purpose of such killings is to vitiate the atmosphere of Kashmir. “I unequivocally condemn the dastardly attack on Rahul Bhat. The sole purpose of such dastardly and heinous acts is to vitiate the atmosphere of Kashmir. I condemn the killing in the strongest possible terms. My heartfelt condolences to Rahul’s family,” he said in a statement.
Former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah said that targeted killings continue and a sense of fear grows unchecked.
“I unequivocally condemn the murderous militant attack on Rahul Bhat. Rahul was a Government employee working in the Tehsil office in Chadoora where he was attacked. Targeted killings continue & a sense of fear grows unchecked. My heartfelt condolences to Rahul’s family. RIP,” Omar tweeted.
“This young man had his entire life ahead of him & to know that his life was so cruelly extinguished today is tragic. Rest in peace Rahul Bhatt,” Omar said.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti said that the killing belies the false claims of normalcy in Kashmir.
“Condemn the gruesome act where in a Kashmiri Pandit boy Rahul Bhat was murdered in Chadoora. Another life ended and another family devastated. My heart goes out to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. It also belies the false claims of normalcy in Kashmir,” Mehbooba tweeted.
Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and former Minister, Sajad Gani Lone in a tweet condemned the killing of employee.
“Strongly condemn the killing of Rahul. It is difficult to read the minds of these psychopaths who indulge in such killings. Yet another family is added to the list of victims of violence. May the departed soul rest in peace,” Lone tweeted.
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