Ajay Pandita’s dream of working for people of his homeland meets a tragic end

Sumit Hakhoo

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Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 9

Ajay Pandita Bharti’s dream of resettling in Kashmir and serving the people of his homeland came to end with mortal remains of the slain sarpanch being consigned to the flames in Jammu on Tuesday.

Bharti was shot dead by terrorists outside his house in Lokbawan village of Anantnag district last evening.

Travelling all night, Bharti’s body was brought to Jammu by his family members early this morning for the last rites.

Bharti is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Despite facing threat from various militant groups and radical elements in his home district of Anantnag, Bharti a Congress worker fought Panchayat elections in 2018 and was elected as sarpanch.

Also read: Ajay Pandita was denied security due to his Congress affiliation: PCC

“We had never expected that Ajay will be killed by militants,” Bharti’s younger brother Vijay told The Tribune.

“He was helpful to all. He loved Kashmir and always extended a helping hand to the needy. After becoming sarpanch, he had decided to work for the betterment of Muslim villagers,” Vijay added.

Vocal about encroachment of temple lands in Kashmir, Bharti and his family enjoyed good relations with their Muslim neighbours after they decided to return to the Valley.

Bharti’s family is demanding CBI probe into his murder. The family claimed that despite request for security cover, the administration didn’t provide him protection.

Also read: Kashmiri Pandit organisations condemn Ajay Pandita’s killing

“My brother had a feeling that he will be harmed. Ajay had taken up the issue with police but nothing was done to protect him. Despite this he continued to live in the Valley,” revealed Vijay, who lives in the Subash Nagar area of Jammu.

Ajay along with his parents and other members of the family had migrated to Jammu in along with 3.50 lakh Pandits 1990s when Pakistan-sponsored terrorists selectively killed hundreds of minority Hindus in the Valley.

However, after spending a few years in camps, he started to visit his native place for a few months every year in the mid-90’s and used to work on his orchard.

“Ajay always missed his homeland that is why he chose to return. When Panchayat elections were announced, he told me that it’s an opportunity to return and permanently settle in his homeland,” recalled Dwarka Nath Pandita, Ajay’s father.

“There are forces who don’t want Pandits to return and live in the Valley and my son fell to the bullets of such ideology. We are not afraid. We will return and fulfill my son’s mission,” said a teary-eyed father as he received a number of mourners at his residence.