Kashmir Pandits who did not migrate from the valley staged a sit-in and Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay Tickoo started a ‘fast-unto-death’ in Srinagar against the ‘punishing’ of the community members in the Valley.
According to a report by The Tribune they alleged they were facing harassment at the hands of the Jammu and Kashmir government after the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August last year.
“We strongly feel that the Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R) Department is punishing left out (non-migrant) Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus for staying back in Kashmir. Since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, we are facing harassment and isolation at the hands of the Relief Department. Despite multiple directions from the High Court and recommendations from the Central Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Relief Department is playing with the life and security of the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley,” Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay Tickoo was quoted as saying by the newspaper after sitting on a fast.
A protester who is pursuing Bachelors in Computer Applications said that he was participating in the protest because he did not find his future secure, “Today I m also sitting in the protest only because I don’t find my future secure here, many of our brothers from the community are over-aged, the government has never focused on the Kashmiri pandits living in the valley.” Shushant Chakoo told The Kashmir Walla. “We always have to fight for our right, Is this all because we stayed back?” Mr. Chakoo asked.
The non-migrants also staged a sit-in at Ganesh Mandir, Ganpatyaar-Habba Kadal in the old city. Over 800 non-migrant Pandit families are presently living in Kashmir and did not migrate out of the Valley after the eruption of militancy more than 30 years back.
Mr. Tickoo said despite rounds of meeting with the government officials besides a recent meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, their demands were not being addressed.
