Targeted killings: Slain teacher Rajni Bala’s husband transferred out of Kashmir Valley

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, June 16

Even as the stalemate continues over demands of Hindu employees who have fled to Jammu from Kashmir valley after targeted killings, J&K government has transferred the husband of terror victim Rajni Bala, a teacher, to Jammu.

Rajini, a Dalit teacher, was shot dead by terrorists outside the school in Kulgam on May 31. Her husband Raj Kumar who is also a teacher in Kulgam was today transferred to Jammu.

“The services of Raj Kumar Attri, teacher BMS Mirhama, Kulgam are hereby placed at the disposal of Director, School Education Jammu for further suitable adjustment in district Samba,” the order stated.

Raj Kumar had asked the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha during the latter’s visit at his home that he may be transferred to Jammu.

Kashmiri Pandit and Dalit employees have been demanding that they be transferred to Jammu immediately. 

Naresh Bhagat, an employee from Jammu who is also posted in Kashmir said it is appreciable that the government has transferred the husband of Rajini Bala to Jammu but there are several other employees who cannot work under the fear of guns.

“All the Hindu employees have fled to Jammu after targeted killings started. After initial talks with the Divisional Commissioner, there is no sign from the side of the government that they want to talk to us to resolve our issues,” said Bhagat, who is himself taking part in protests in Jammu.

Kashmiri Pandit and Dalit employees are protesting everyday in different parts of Jammu but the stalemate continues as there are no rounds of talks by the government with the employees.

Ranjan Joshi, a Kashmiri Pandit employee who is leading protests in Jammu said that the situation in the valley cannot become normal for Hindu staffers. “The government thinks that if they will not talk over the issue, we will return to the valley and start working normally as we were doing earlier. The government does not comprehend that targeted attacks have stopped as most of the Hindu employees have shifted to Jammu”. Joshi informed that even few Kashmiri Pandit employees who are staying back in the valley are not going to work due to fear.

Many Kashmiri Pandits among other Hindu employees and labourers were shot dead in Kashmir during past some months in the worst ever spree of targeted killings. Security forces claim they have eliminated terrorists who were involved in most of the killings.

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