STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits employed under PM’s special package along with scores of volunteers of Team Jammu led by its chairman, Zorawar Singh Jamwal on Saturday blocked busy Canal Road and held massive protest against another target killing of a Kashmiri Pandit Puran Bhat in Chowdarygund area of Shopian district in Kashmir valley, today.
In the morning, volunteers of Team Jammu led by its chief Zorawar Singh Jamwal visited Relief Commissioner, Office, here to support All Migrant (Displaced) Employees Association Kashmir (AMEAK) who are sitting on Dharna for the past more 150 days and demanding deputation of Kashmiri Pandit employees posted in Valley to Relief Commissioner Office, Jammu or any other offices of Jammu Division till security conditions become conducive for them.
However, soon after the news flash of another target killing of Kashmir Pandit Puran Bhat in Shopian district, the agitating employees including women and scores of volunteers of Team Jammu led by Zorawar Singh Jamwal marched in procession raising anti-administration and anti-terrorists slogans.
The protesters did not allow vehicular movement on busy Canal road and flyover for three hours and demanded complete elimination of terrorism from J&K.
Raising slogans “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” the protestors sought to know that for how long government will make innocent employees as sitting ducks against armed terrorists in Kashmir.
Zorawar highlighted that “the Kashmiri Pandits, reserved category as well as non-migrant employees of Jammu region working in Kashmir valley are becoming soft targets in the Valley and the government has failed to ensure their safety, while incidents of targeted and selected killings are increasing day by day, causing fear psychosis among them”. He asserted that “this is not the time just to condemn but it is the right time to allow security forces for all out operation to wipe out each and every terrorist and its sympathizers wherever hiding in J&K.”
“We were employed in the Valley under special package but everyone is aware about the situation there. We want our relocation to Jammu so that we can at least remain alive,” said president, AMEAK, Satish Raina, sr vice-president, Ruban Saproo and vice-presidents, Ranjan Jyotshi and Rakesh Pandita in their respective addresses. They said that today’s protest is natural and emotional outburst as another innocent Kashmiri Pandit has lost his life and government has failed to take any strict action except extending condolences.
Later, senior police and district administrative officers reached the spot and pacified the demonstrations asking them that their demands and concern would be taken upto the higher authorities for an early redressal.
Among others who addressed the protestors included Vimal Raina, Rakesh Pandita, Yogesh Pandita, Shweta, Vinod Bhat and Boopinder Bhat.
