Pandits worried over security ‘removal’ in transit camps

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 20

Displaced Kashmiri Pandits today alleged that the police had started withdrawing the security of minority enclaves and temples in Kashmir following rising rifle-snatching incidents by militants. They said the PDP-BJP coalition government was abdicating from its duty of safeguarding the minority community in the Valley.

The community has alleged that in the absence of any management mechanism and deliberate delay in passing the Temples and Shrines Bill by the successive governments, ancient shrines and temples in the Valley are becoming the target of the land mafia which has encroached upon several shrines.

“The minorities fear the worst as the security provided to most of the shrines and families living in the Valley has been withdrawn. It is a matter of concern as the state government has left the minorities at the mercy of militants,” said Ravinder Raina, president, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC).

Raina said they had received reports that policemen guarding key Hindu shrines in the Valley had been shifted after several incidents of weapon snatching during the past four months of unrest.

In October alone, there were three incidents in which militants overpowered policemen guarding members of the Hindu community. It mainly happened in volatile south Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama. A Pandit youth was also injured when he was caught in the crossfire between militants and policemen in Shopian.

The ASKPC has urged the government to restore the security of all temples and religious places, including some ancient shrines, and take a decision on future of more than 2,000 employees who had to shift from the Valley after July 8 when their transit camps were attacked by mobs.

“The PDP-BJP coalition should take steps to address issues of the government employees engaged under the PM’s package. The rise in militancy incidents is a matter of concern for minorities. Their transit camps were attacked by mobs and damaged. Where will they live now?” asked TK Bhat, social worker.

As many as 651 non-migrant Pandit families live in the Valley and are scattered across Kashmir.