After the killing of Kashmiri Pandit Rahul Bhat, Kashmir’s DC Pandurang Pol said on Wednesday (May 18, 2022) that posting of Kashmiri Pandits will not be done in sensitive areas. He has directed the heads of all government departments to ensure this. He has given these instructions after a week of protest by the people of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
On May 12, a government employee, Rahul Bhat, was killed by suspected terrorists at the tehsil office of Chadoora in Budgam district, following which the community has been protesting. Employees working under PM package in Kashmir have refused to return to work since this incident and are demanding posting in safe areas.
“I held a meeting today and directed all the chief engineers, directors, HODs that they (Kashmiri Pandit employees) should be given duty in towns or district headquarters so that they are not in sensitive areas,” Pal said.
He said, “All employees have to work within a code and capability. As far as all matters related to service, such as posting, promotion or construction of accommodation are concerned, all these are being resolved at the earliest.”
Meanwhile, residents of Government Colony in Sheikhpora, Budgam continued their protest against the administration. Employees working under PM package live in this colony. On Wednesday evening, in protest, they blocked the airport road for at least 20 minutes.
On Sunday, members of the mainstream coalition People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) had met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, demanding a “safe working environment for (Kashmiri) Pandit employees.” Members of the BJP’s state unit also met Sinha and urged him to consider the demands of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
