Kashmiri Pandit organisations condemn Ajay Pandita’s killing

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 9

Kashmiri Pandit organisations widely condemned the killing of sarpanch Ajay Pandita Bharti by terrorists in Anantnag on Monday and said they were worried about the security of minorities in the Valley.

Bharti had returned to his village Luk Bhawan-Larkipora in the volatile Anantnag district of south Kashmir and fought panchayat elections.

“The brutal murder is shocking as terrorists have again targeted a member of a minority. We condemn the targeted killing of the sarpanch who demonstrated courage to serve the people of his area and had returned to the Valley. Snatching a young life in such a ruthless manner is indicative of the inhuman ideology of the killers,” said former BJP MLC GL Raina.

All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) chairman Vinod Pandit said that despite repeated pleas by the sarpanch for security, the administration overlooked his requests.

“Despite threats to his life, he continued to live in the Valley and did not leave. The administration too is responsible for his death as they failed to provide security,” said Vinod Pandit. 

Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra (SSK) said the government should take steps to provide security to the minorities.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) accused Pakistan for the killing of Ajay Pandita and burnt the effigy Imran Khan at Kachi Chawni here. The protesters also raised slogans against the killing.

“Pakistan is behind the killing,” said BJYM state president Arun Dev Singh. “They want to neutralise the elected representatives to disturb peace and create fear among minorities in Kashmir.”  

“BJYM will stand by the people and such acts will be dealt with firmly,” he added.

Panches, sarpanches seek security

All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the J-K Administration to “immediately provide security” to the panches and sarpanches who were being targeted by militants.

AJKPC president Anil Sharma said while all bureaucrats, former legislative members and other officials had been provided security, the panches and sarpanches who form the grass roots of democracy were left at the mercy of militants.

“So many panches and sarpanches are either killed or targeted by the militant organisations run by Syed Salahuddin and Masood Azhar from across the border, but no security has been provided to them,” said Sharma.

He said the JKPCC had been serving people for the past 10 years and lost many of its men due to such dastardly acts of militants.

“We had earlier requested DGP, Security, Muneer Khan for providing security to these people, but no action has been taken so far. The recent killing of Ajay Bharti has apparently shown that militants are targeting our people so that a strong base of democracy could be weakened,” said Sharma.

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