The death of Rahul Bhatt, a Kashmiri Pandit, triggers protests in Jammu and Kashmir. The clerk from the Revenue Department, age 35, was shot by two terrorists.
The terrorist entered the office fearlessly, asked the name, and not even giving him the chance to get up from the chair, shot him point blank, dead. Rahul was a resident of Budgam and living in the quarters set up by the government for Kashmiri Hindus. The family is complaining about the government, that it is unable to provide security to the Kashmiri Pandits, to the system where they are being thrown into the ‘Flames of Death’ in the valley.
According to the sources, an encounter broke out between the security forces and the terrorists and the security forces killed the two terrorists. It has been stated that the two terrorists who were killed by the army, were involved in the killing of the Kashmiri Pandit in Budgam.
The protesting Kashmiri Pandits are stating that they are selectively targeted and killed. They are protesting that the cold-blooded murder of Rahul Bhatt proves that the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits is still continuous. They are stating that before the incident of Rahul Bhatt, other targeted killings have already taken place. Earlier, terrorists had barged into a government school, asked teachers to stand in line, checked their identity cards, and killed a Sikh principal lady and a Kashmiri Hindu teacher. Kashmiri Hindu chemist, Makhan Lal Bindroo, and Kashmiri Hindu BJP Sarpanch, Ajay Pandita, have also been assassinated.
Since then, there has been an atmosphere of tension. After the incident, Kashmiri Pandits are on the streets for protest. The protestors say that the government should give us a guarantee of our security. We are not the ones who will continue to be sacrificed. On the other side, the government is claiming, that they are trying their best to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits in the valley.
Converging into being targets of Islamic terrorism, is all about being a Hindu in Kashmir.
As outrage at the killing of the Kashmiri Pandit, BJP staged a protest in Srinagar and were seeing raising slogans with placards in their hands. The slogans read, “Stop innocent killings”.
The protestors, which are more than 350 Kashmiri Hindu employees have already signed a mass resignation letter to Jammu- the Kashmir administration.
The letter as accessed by the sources reads, “Due to detection by the policies of the administration and subsequent failure of providing the sense of security to all Kashmiri Pandit minorities, serving in the value for the last 12 years, who have been facing the threat of life it is a fundamental right of every human being. We are left with no option but to give en-masse resignation which we know is the only solution to save our lives”.
The protestors are allegedly facing tear gas and Lathi charge from the police over the protests. As stated by the protesters, lathis have been charged and tear gas is being thrown over the peaceful protest of Kashmiri Hindus, against the total failure of the administration for providing safety and security to them. They are being locked in their colonies forcefully and are suppressed from protesting against these heinous atrocities
Kashmiri Hindu while protesting blocked roads in Roopnagar and Bantalab in Jammu. When the protesters were making an attempt to March towards the Airport Road, they were stopped by the police and hurled tear gas, stun grenades in order to make them disperse, and even resorted to Lathis.
Former Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, quoted in a tweet, “Targeted killings continue and the sense of fear grows unchecked. My heartfelt condolences to Rahul’s family, RIP”.
This incident brings nerve-wracking and spine-chilling reminders from 1989 and 1990, when Kashmiri pandits were selectively targeted.
The atrocities of the Kashmiri Pandits and the minority communities have led to a gulf between the Muslims and the Pandits. It was unfortunate to see that when the protest rally, against the killing of Rahul Bhatt was taken out, not many local Muslims joined.
It’s the duty of every citizen of the valley, to protect themselves, their neighbours, and their place of residence, which is known as the “Heaven on Earth”.
Silence and the gap between the Muslim and Hindus are not the answer. It makes the attackers more powerful. Bridge the gap and end the silence!
Unity is power!
Read More – Representation for Kashmiri Pandits: Delimitation Commission
Published By: Sandipan Dutta
