• J&K: Kashmiri Pandits Org Moves HC Seeking Directions From Govt To Shift Minorities To Safety

    National
    J&K: Kashmiri Pandits Org Moves HC Seeking Directions From Govt To Shift Minorities To Safety
    On Thursday, ultras killed a manager of Ellaquai Dehati Bank in Kulgam district and a brick kiln labourer in Budgam district, escalating their attacks on outsiders in the Valley.
     
    Digital Desk: With the rise in targeted killings in Kashmir, the Kashmir Pandit Sangarash Samiti (KPSS) has sought the high court's intervention here to direct the government to relocate all religious minorities living in Kashmir to a safer place outside the Valley.

    According to KPSS Chief Sanjay K Tickoo, who cited media sources, Hindus in Kashmir wanted to leave the Valley, but the government was not allowing them to do so.

    Tickoo said he sent an e-mail to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, claiming Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, and asking for a number of things, including the evacuation of religious minorities from Kashmir.

    "The UT/Central government be directed to move/relocate religious minorities living in Kashmir valley outside Kashmir valley as the religious minorities are under direct threat from the terrorists," his e-mail read.

    Tickoo claimed that attacks on religious minorities began in June 2020, when a sarpanch, Ajay Pandita, was killed in Anantnag.

    "From then until May 31, 2022, 12 members of local religious minorities were attacked, 11 of whom died," he claimed, referring to the recent string of homicides that included the assassinations of government employee Rahul Bhat and teacher Rajni Bala.

    Tickoo asserted that, despite Hindus' wishes to leave Kashmir, the government was not allowing them to do so, citing "press news sources and social media utterances."

    He urged the high court to call the officials in question and demand that they explain the policy and process in place to protect religious minorities.

    Tickoo also demanded an investigation into the suspected relocation of some "blue-eyed" migrants engaged under the prime minister's migration package just days before Rahul Bhat's murder on May 12.

    He claimed that indicated some administration officials were aware that the situation in Kashmir was about to deteriorate.

    Tickoo has yet to receive a response from the High Court, according to him.

    It may be mentioned that on Thursday, ultras killed a manager of Ellaquai Dehati Bank in Kulgam district and a brick kiln labourer in Budgam district, escalating their attacks on outsiders in the Valley.