JAMMU, Aug 24: The Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) has strongly condemned fresh threatening communications reportedly circulating on social media and other platforms, allegedly targeting Kashmiri Pandit individuals and families by name and disclosing their personal details.
Kundan Kashmiri, President of KPC, termed the development a serious matter and urged the Government and security agencies to immediately establish the authenticity and origin of the communications.
“If authenticated, this is not an ordinary threat or an act of mischief. It is a deliberate attempt to spread fear and intimidate an already displaced community,” he said.
KPC has called upon the Government of India, the Lieutenant Governor’s Administration of Jammu and Kashmir, J&K Police, intelligence agencies and other security authorities to identify those responsible for preparing, circulating and disseminating the threatening communications and take action under law.
The organisation also demanded an investigation into how the perpetrators allegedly obtained the names, telephone numbers, addresses and other personal details of the targeted individuals. It said any breach involving confidential information should also be investigated and those responsible held accountable.
KPC sought an immediate threat assessment of every person named in the communications and adequate security protection wherever necessary. It appealed to the affected families not to succumb to intimidation and assured them of the community’s support.
The organisation expressed particular concern over alleged attempts to target persons associated with the return, rehabilitation or settlement of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. KPC said the community’s constitutional rights to live and work anywhere in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, cannot be dictated by threats or intimidation.
KPC also appealed to Kashmiri Pandits to remain vigilant and united, while urging them not to further circulate the personal details of threatened families. It advised those receiving credible threats to preserve the communications as evidence and report them to the police and competent authorities.
Kundan Kashmiri said the community had endured considerable hardship and would not allow fear or intimidation to determine its future.
“A threatening letter cannot erase our history. A threat cannot erase our identity. A hit-list cannot extinguish our rights,” he said, asserting that Kashmiri Pandits would not be driven out again by threats or terror.
KPC urged the Government to send a clear message that the State would protect its citizens, investigate threats and ensure that terrorism and intimidation do not determine who has the right to live in Jammu and Kashmir.
The KPC President assured every threatened family that the community stood firmly with them and appealed to them to remain vigilant, courageous and confident.