Despite assurances from Jammu and Kashmir administration and the regional political parties made fervent appeals to Kashmiri Pandits -Hindus not to consider any idea of migration, a large number of Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) not only abstained from attending offices, but many also have returned to Jammu in panic in the wake of targeted killings of two Pandits among seven other civilians in the past one week.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration and the regional political parties made fervent appeals to Pandits not to consider any idea of migration. The District Development Commissioners (DDCs) in Kashmir region have also been directed to reach out to the community.
As per reports and returnees, the district commissioners have asked the Pandits living in designated enclaves in parts of the Valley to restrict their movement for the time being and avoid travelling to volatile pockets.
Panic has gripped the minority communities - Hindus and Sikhs - following the targeted killings especially the killing of two teachers including a Sikh woman on October 7.
Despite assurances from the administration and police, we're scared, you can't stay in camp all day, one has to move out in case of emergency or for routine matters.
A Kashmir Pandit (KP) living in Mattan Colony and a government employee on promised anonymity said, "I 've been living in the camp for the last over a decade.
“I did not feel scared here in 2003 or 2008-09 or even during 2016 when there were protests across Kashmir for several months after Burhan Wani’s killing, and in 2019 when Art 370 was scrapped.'
"But today I really am feeling scared. In fact everyone here is scared. Although the government has assured us security but we have to move out, they can’t provide security to every individual and everywhere”, he said.
“Not only us are panicked but our relatives in Jammu too are panicky and we' re getting repeated calls from them to leave at earliest because of the worsening situation . We can’t take the risk anymore,” he added .
Referring to the The Resistance Front (TRF)'s claim they killed the teachers for hoisting tricolour, he said, "People are questioning them why didn't they killed father of Burhan wani who also had hoisted tricolour?"
Another Kashmiri Pandit serving in valley said that 60-70% community members have decided t leave and many have left for Jammu
Living in Vessu MIgrant Camp - a protected colony he said, "he had never felt scared in past like recent as targeted killing has created a sense of fear among minority communities.'
Not only community members, but authorities too are in tight spot as they have restricted our movements while in some instances the authorities have issued directions to work from home in wake of tense situation
Meanwhile Kashmiri Pandit leader and President Jagti tenantment Colony Shadi Lal Pandita said, "20 families have returned to Jammu after recent killing of two teachers and around 40-50 families/employees are reportedly reaching today.
Pandita said, " Community members are scared especially by the brutal manner the two teachers were killed in broad daylight."
Worth to mention that National Conference leader and former Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K state, Omar Abdullah who visited a victim’s family said, “We can’t let the perpetrators of these terror attacks succeed in their evil designs by driving you out.
The overwhelming majority of us don’t want you to go. It is our prime responsibility, especially of the majority community, of the Valley to safeguard the lives of minorities.”
Similarly People Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “It was very painful to see two little kids of Kaur slain. What was their fault?” she said, after visiting the victim's family.
“The current situation in Jammu and Kashmir is the result of the failure of the policies of the Government. Whether it was demonetisation or removal of Article 370, these decisions were sold to the country as a solution to the problems of militancy and alienation in Kashmir,” Gupkar alliance spokesman M.Y. Tarigami said.
Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also condemned the killings.
Pertinently at least seven people were killed by terrorists in Kashmir Valley in the past six days. Of those killed, four belonged to minority communities.
Meanwhile the security has been beefed up in the vicinity of Srinagar, especially in sensitive spots in view of the recent civilian casualties in the city where the network of Naka’s has also further been expended in Kashmir.
(With inputs from agencies)