Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday visited the Sheikhpora migrant camp where Kashmiri Pandit employees have been protesting for the past over a week in the wake of the killing of Rahul Bhat on May 14, officials said.
Sinha reached Sheikhpora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Monday evening where he interacted with the protesting employees and listened to their demands, while reiterating the government’s resolve to root out militancy from J&K.
Top officials from the police and civil administration were present during the LG’s interaction.
The protesting KPs have been demanding that LG should visit the spot and give them assurance about their safety.
Earlier, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar had met the protesting Kashmiri Pandits, however they remained defiant, refusing to call off the protests, demanding that they be relocated out of the Valley.
Reaching out to protesting KPs at Sheikhpora, Budgam, the LG told them that the roots of militancy have been strong in the Valley and besides that the ecosystem that provided oxygen to it remained ticking but his government was committed to root-out militancy from Kashmir soil.
As per the news agency KNO, Sinha said security forces in Kashmir have been having an upper hand in the Valley “but we can’t even trust shadows as for us, even shadows are suspects…. who knows someone among you may be informing others about what I am telling you….”
He said the administration was fully aware of the sufferings of KPs and was committed to resolve all issues on a fast-track basis.
“Enough blood has flown in Kashmir. Roots of militancy have remained stronger here in Jammu and Kashmir and there was a time when even the cases were not being registered,” he said, adding that “his government is committed to end militancy from Kashmir for everlasting peace.”
The LG said that it was a fact that no one can compensate for the death of any person. However, the government was taking measures to provide job compensation to the NoKs of Rahul Bhat, the LG said
Accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Sinha , according to KNO said even as the security forces have had the upper hand, “despite that, some incidents have taken place. There are informers everywhere. Nobody can even identify them.
“I can’t assure that no such incident will take place in future, but those who kill people with guns are not our only targets, but all those who are running this ecosystem. We will not stay calm until this ecosystem is put to an end,” he said.
Sinha further said that the attempts to vitiate the atmosphere have been made here since long and you (Kashmiri Pandits) are knowledgeable about it. “I belong to some other state but you are well aware about the situation here,” he told the KPs and urged them to not fall prey to those who he said were playing politics over the killing of Rahul Bhat.
He assured KPs that all their issues will be resolved including their safe and secure accommodation. “One officer at my office has been assigned the job of monitoring the fulfillment of your all demands. Besides that, the Divisional Commissioner is also working on your demands,” he said and urged the KPs to have faith in the system.
“The homes are being constructed while at some places lands are being made available and DPR in some cases are in final stage,” he assured the KPs while paying tributes to Rahul Bhat. (With KNO inputs)
