JAMMU, Aug 29: The Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) has expressed serious concern over repeated threatening communications allegedly targeting Kashmiri Pandits, particularly employees appointed under the PM Package and working in the Valley, and demanded a time-bound investigation to identify those behind the threats.
Addressing the issue, KPC President Kundan Kashmiri and Vice President Tej Pandita questioned how sensitive information, including names, residential details and vehicle particulars of employees, was allegedly obtained and circulated by those issuing threats.
Tej Pandita asked Kashmir-centric political parties, civil society organisations, religious leaders and responsible citizens to help identify the individuals and networks behind such communications. “Who is collecting this sensitive information, who is supplying it to the threat-makers, and who is operating this network on the ground?” he questioned.
The KPC leadership sought answers regarding the persons behind threatening communications attributed to the United Liberation Council (ULC), the alleged sources of employees’ personal information and the possible presence of local facilitators, over-ground workers or sympathisers assisting such networks.
The KPC clarified that the entire Muslim community should not be blamed for acts of terrorism, but maintained that peaceful citizens and community leaders have a moral responsibility to reject terrorism and help expose those involved in criminal activities.
Referring to recent security incidents in Kashmir, the KPC said the arrest of five alleged terrorist associates in Kulgam on August 26, with weapons and ammunition reportedly recovered from them, further underlines the need for authorities to investigate whether any such networks have links with threats against Kashmiri Pandits.
The organisation also referred to security cases involving Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked terrorism and attacks on migrant workers, asserting that the infrastructure and ideology of terrorism remain a serious challenge.
The KPC appealed to political leaders who speak of peace, Kashmiriyat and brotherhood to unequivocally condemn threats against Kashmiri Pandits and assist authorities in identifying those responsible.
The organisation demanded that the government establish who authored and circulated the threatening letters, verify their authenticity, determine how confidential details of PM Package employees were obtained and investigate possible links with banned terrorist organisations or their proxies.
KPC further called for adequate security for vulnerable Kashmiri Pandit employees and prosecution of those found responsible under law.
“Kashmiri Pandits have an unquestionable right to live, work, return and rebuild their lives in their ancestral homeland without seeking permission from terrorists,” the KPC leaders said, asserting that the community would not allow the atmosphere of fear associated with the 1990s to return.