In Kashmir, spike in civilian killings creates fear and panic

According to authorities, 28 people have been murdered in Kashmir so far this year. They consisted of 21 Muslims and seven non-Muslims.

People are fearful as a result of recent targeted civilian killings, with minorities requesting appropriate protection and political parties urging Kashmiri Pandits not to leave the valley.

Seven civilians have been murdered in Kashmir since October 5, including six in Srinagar alone. There were three Muslims and four non-Muslims among them.

Deceased Makhan Lal Bindroo’s son is still in shock

Sidharth Bindroo, late Makhan Lal’s son, is still grieving from the tragedy of his father’s killing. As per him, the government must take urgent measures to ensure the safety and security of Kashmir’s minorities.

“It’s quite likely that it will happen again and again,” Sidharth said in his interaction with the local media.

He went on to state that by killing innocent civilians, these gunmen aim to make headlines and instil terror in Kashmir. “Killings like these send shockwaves across the world,” he added.

Makhan Lal Bindroo served the people of Kashmir for 40 long years, his son proudly said, adding that his father was more concerned with his work than anything else.

He said he had information concerning the threat to his father’s life and had advised him to take necessary measures. “We wanted to leave, but he insisted on staying since he loved Kashmir and its people,” Sidharth explained.

28 civilians have been killed in Kashmir so far this year

So far this year, 28 people got killed in Kashmir, according to police. There were 21 Muslims and seven non-Muslims among them.

Many Kashmiri Pandits prefer to leave Kashmir

However, many Kashmiri Pandits who were staying with their relatives in Kashmir have already left after the recent spate of civilian killings from the minority community.

Khushi Jan, a Kashmiri Pandit who was residing with her family in the Anantnag region of south Kashmir, has left for Jammu. “We don’t want to remain here when Pandits and Sikhs are being murdered,” in a chat with a local news outlet.

Kashmiri Pandits living in colonies have restricted their movement

After the recent deaths, Kashmiri Pandits living in colonies have avoided venturing out unnecessarily. “We can’t go outside to perform the work since we are secure within this colony because it has appropriate security,” a young Pandit told Digpu News in Pulwama.

Without revealing his name, he added that some people have to go outside for work, besides we can’t stay inside four walls for 24 hours. “It doesn’t feel very safe outside after witnessing such a spree of killings,” he added.

Politicians, leaders blame government, ask for maintaining communal harmony

Meanwhile, Chairman of the All-Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), Jagmohan Singh Raina, said that the deaths were part of a plot to drive a wedge between different communities. “Some individuals try to divide us and take advantage of the circumstance,” Raina said while asking people to stay away from communalizing the situation.

Also, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, and the Congress party have advised Kashmiri Pandits not to leave the valley, blaming the administration for the deterioration in the situation.

The administration, according to Mehbooba Mufti, has failed to prevent the killing of innocent people.

Every drop of blood will be avenged, says LG Manoj Sinha

While reacting to the rage expressed from various quarters about the civilian killings in broad daylight, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated in a statement that those responsible for recent acts of terror will be held accountable.

“Those that help and abet terrorist organizations have been warned that every drop of innocent civilian blood would be avenged,” he said.

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Aasif Ganaie

Aasif is a journalist and a news enthusiast based in Jammu & Kashmir. He voyages to explore and uncover the stories More »
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