Parties seek security for Kashmiri Pandits
JAMMU: A day after sarpanch and Congress leader Ajay Pandita alias Bharti was shot dead by terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, his kin and many political leaders raised demands of protection for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley.
The slain leader was cremated in Jammu earlier on Tuesday. Bharti was the sarpanch of Lukbawan village in the Larkipora area.
“We won’t leave Kashmir but I urge the government to create a regiment of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley,” said Vijay Pandita, brother of the deceased.
“He loved his roots and always extended a helping hand to the needy. After becoming a sarpanch he had decided to work for the welfare of Muslims,” he added.
Bharti’s father Dwarika Nath Pandita said, “We came to Kashmir in 1996. At that time, Ajay was around 21-year-old. He used to say that Kashmir is our home. Some anti-nationals are behind his killing.”
Calling it a cowardly act, Lieutenant-governor Girish Chandra
Murmu condemned the killing and said that those behind the killing are enemies of humanity. “Attack on any public representative is an attack on democracy,” he said.
In December last year, Bharti had told the media that there was a threat to his life and had repeatedly asked for security.
Congress questioned lapses to provide security to the slain leader. Senior leaders of the JKPCC have questioned the government’s failure to provide adequate security to Bharti, despite him being an elected representative and leader of a minority community residing in one of the most vulnerable areas in Kashmir.all Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) also condemned the killing and said that such cowardly attacks will not deter them from strengthening the democracy at the grassroots level in the UT.
The AJKPC reiterated its demand for security to its members and advocated adequate compensation to family of the deceased.