By- Tahaa Yaseen
Kashmiri Pandit organisations have widely condemned the killing of sarpanch Ajay Pandita Bharti by terrorists in Anantnag on Monday, adding that they were worried about the security of minorities in the Valley.
Bharti had returned to his village, Luk Bhawan-Larkipora, in the volatile Anantnag district of South Kashmir and fought panchayat elections.
“The brutal murder is shocking as terrorists have again targeted a member of a minority. We condemn the targeted killing of the sarpanch who demonstrated courage to serve the people of his area and had returned to the Valley. Snatching a young life in such a ruthless manner is indicative of the inhuman ideology of the killers,” said former BJP MLC GL Raina.
All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) chairman Vinod Pandit said that despite repeated pleas by the sarpanch for security, the administration overlooked his requests.
“Despite threats to his life, he continued to live in the Valley and did not leave. The administration too is responsible for his death as they failed to provide security,” said Vinod Pandit.
Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra (SSK) said that the government should take steps to provide security to the minorities.
Meanwhile, All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) president Ravinder Raina said that the cowardly act of the terrorists brought bitter memories of 1990s back when militants killed hundreds of Pandits leading to the exodus of 3.50 lakh people.
