Kashmiri Pandits Demand Action

KS Correspondent

JAMMU, May 5: Nadimarg massacre has jolted 5,000 strong remnants of the Pandit community, still living in Valley. They have decided to give three months notice the State government to address their security concerns and reverse anti-Pandit policies. An extraordinary meeting, attended by 75 representatives from different parts of the Valley was held in the precincts of Ramji temple, Sathu on May 4. They have threatened fast unto death.

The President of Hindu Welfare Society, Moti Lal Bhat, put three demands. One, to set up clusters of Pandit community homes in different districts of the Valley to ensure security. Second, quick rehabilitation of displaced members who had to move out of their homes in far off villages. Lastly, employment of its youth to hold the community back from leaving the Valley. The urgency for the meeting was attributed to the security concerns demonstrated by Ganderbal and Mattan Pandits. The spokesperson of the society lambasted Mufti government giving false promises in the wake of Nadimarg massacre.

It may be recalled that five days after the Nadimarg massacre, the State government had intercepted a convoy of fleeing survivors on their way out of Valley and impressed, on them to stay back. Unconvinced by the government's assurances, a week later the survivors moved out to Jammu.

Addressing the concerns of Pandit community continues to remain Achilles heel for the Mufti government. The Pandit community is strongly annoyed over government's response to protection of its property, left over in Valley, apathy towards those displaced in the wake of massacre and failure to nab the Nadimarg culprits. Demolition of shops in the upcoming yatri Niwas at Durga Nag temple drew strong protests from Pandit community in the Valley. The State government also acquired 66.12 kanals of land at Batapora Shopian, belonging to Pandit community and notified it for the Bus Stand. The affected families countered, saying on one hand State government was claiming it was committed to create conditions for Pandits return, while on the other, it was dispossessing them of their left-over properties.

The State government has been harassing the recently displaced Pandits and dodging them registration as migrants. While the State government was quite generous in doling out appointment orders to the militancy victims, belonging to other communities, it has treated such cases from Pandit community with stark indifference. The families of late Shiban Lal Koul and Rohit Sadhu of Tang Marg and Bansi Lal of Gulabagh continue to wait for the "healing touch".

Displaced Pandit community is also sore over governments' failure to nab culprits, involved in Nadimarg massacre. On April 10,2003 DGP, A.K. Suri identified Zia Mustafa R/o Rawalkot (PoK) as the chief culprit. Lashkar-e-Toiba claimed Zia was arrested on March 16 from his hideout in Anantnag. Other reports said the nine police officials at Nadimarg picket were being interrogated for their direct complicity in the incident. Two terrorists, as per these reports, had visited the picket regularly over the past six months, often stopping for a meal or staying the night. They watched the recent world cup cricket series at the picket and even on March 21 stayed there. On the night of the massacre, the two terrorists were joined by six others, who actually carried out the massacre. Constable Abdul Rashid was sent alone to call the victims. His failure to warn the victims, call for help and even escape raised suspicions about involvement of policeman posted at the picket. Head constable Ghulam Ahmed War had applied for leave on the morning of massacre. It was refused. Not only he deserted the post but has also since disappeared. Repeated raids on his home in Kupwara have failed to locate him.

Praveen Swami, the noted columnist comments on the sad state of affairs, "while it seems probable that the Nadimarg killings involved the active collusion of police personnel on duty there, the fact remains that their failure is part of a larger pattern of security force dysfunction for which Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Syed is directly responsible. Also, the failure of the PDP, the Congress-I and for that matter the NC to organise any real mass mobilisation against the killings is a matter of concern". On the priorities of mainstream Valley political groups, Swami ruefully adds, "All the major parties joined in a protest strike on March 24, originally called by APHC to protest the war on Iraq. None saw it fit to hold any public rallies to condemn the killings. Nor has there been any meaningful action to assist the victims of terrorist violence".

Meanwhile, the Sikh community too has voiced fears over their security following recent developments. R.S. Bali, who was working as station engineer in Srinagar Doordarshan was kidnapped on March 22 during his visit to Bandipora. On April 4, his dead body was fished out of Jhelum river at Uri. This provoked strong resentment in the community. Subsequently a high-powered delegation of Sikh leadership of the state met the chief minister, and demanded fool-proof security. There has been direct incitement by LeT chief to kill Pandits and a number of Pandit villages were attacked after Nadimarg massacre.

Though State government has put on hold the so-called return plan and suggested few measures like night lodging arrangements in government accommodations, relief in cash and kind on the pattern of relief given to the Kashmiri Pandit migrants and job to at least one member of each Kashmiri Pandit family. All these remain an paper. The State government has also claimed that it was not trying to push Pandits to camps at Tulmulla and Mattan. Rs 10-crore was being demanded to beautify these holy places, it added. The displaced Pandit community continues to wait for clear vision and national  will to restore them their homes and end the genocidal attrition.