BJP Failed Kashmiri Pandits, Responsible for Leak of Names by Militant Group: Mufti

Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti hit out at the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration on Tuesday alleging that the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government has failed to protect the minority Pandit community in the Union Territory. 

In her first media interaction after the abrogation of Article 370 and her subsequent house detention, the former chief minister accused the BJP of being apathetic to the community, which has cited a security risk due to the fear of being targeted by militants.

Recently, a blog believed to have been posted by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), published a list of 57 Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the education department under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) and warned of attacking them.

TRF issues threat to 57 KP employees working on Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/GDFuyS46ZV

— Sagrika Kissu (@SagrikaKissu) December 5, 2022

“The government is responsible for it. They should be answerable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir about how details of the Kashmiri Pandits were leaked and they are being threatened. This government has completely failed to protect Kashmiri Pandits. They are just exploiting their pain and grief. They are hardly serious about them,” Mufti told reporters in Qazigund, Anantnag district. 

How was the list of Kashmiri Pandits employees leaked to militants asks @MehboobaMufti@YouthJKPDP #KashmiriPanditemployees pic.twitter.com/zAw827f7l0

— The Dispatch (@InDispatch) December 6, 2022

Terming the leak “unfortunate”, she added, “It is unfortunate that there is BJP government both at the Centre and here as well. Kashmiri Pandits are facing issues and are protesting for the last six months in Jammu but no decision has been taken on their behalf. They are being asked to report on duty and on the other hand, their details, which are not with anyone, are leaked from government offices.”  

Militants have killed 118 civilians, including five Kashmiri Pandits, in over three years. Many of these were targeted killings of migrant labourers, Panchayat members and political activists. Since the killing of revenue official Rahul Bhat in May, employees from the community recruited under the PMRP have been demanding relocation outside the Valley. 

The list of Kashmiri Pandits comes two weeks after a similar list of a group of journalists was published. Both Kashmiri Pandits and journalists fear for their lives after the lists were published. Kashmir Pandit rights groups have also questioned the leak of the names, which are part of government records, and demanded an investigation. 

“In the last 12 years, not even one Kashmiri Pandit who returned under the PM package for rehabilitation was threatened or killed even during peak unrest. Since 2019, there is a routine killing of Kashmir Pandits and an exodus. Anyone holding LG administration or BJP government accountable?” PDP’s Mohit Bhan, a Kashmiri Pandit, tweeted. 

In last 12 years not even One Kashmiri Pandit who returned through PM package for rehabilitation was threatened or killed even during peak unrests. Since 2019 there is a routine killing of Kashmir Pandits & exodus. Anyone holding LG administration or BJP government accountable ?? pic.twitter.com/Z6OiR17hwQ

— Mohit Bhan موہت بھان (@buttkout) December 5, 2022

Meanwhile, a high-level security review meeting was held between officials of the J&K administration and the Union home ministry.