A spate of targeted killings in Kashmir has led to the exodus of several Kashmiri Pandits living in transit camps across the Valley despite tightened security around these camps as fear gripped the minority community. In addition, police in Srinagar has shot dead a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant after intensified security measures.
Dozens of families, majority of the Government employees who returned to the Valley after being given jobs under the Prime Minister’s particular employment scheme for Kashmiri migrants – have quietly left accommodations yesterday and early today after a series of target killings. The Kashmiri Pandits living in Sheikhpora in district Budgam are fearful, home to the 290 minority Kashmiri Pandit community families. Several families have left the transit camp since yesterday. However, police and administration reached the transit camp early in the morning and persuaded the other families to stay back as the security around the base had been beefed up.
In Baramulla outskirts, 145 families, mostly Kashmiri Pandits, live on the bank of river Jhelum in a transit camp. In addition, 180 Government employees are living here with families. They have been employed in various Government departments for the last over a decade. The base has been sealed, and no one is being allowed to move out. Police and district administration assured the minority families of heightened security and asked them not to panic.
All Kashmiri Migrant Employees Forum today demanded that they be exempted from the duty until the situation stabilises. In a letter addressed to Chief Secretary, they have said that they are in a state of extreme fear and panic.
