Kashmiri Pandits continue protest against killing, Demand fool proof security in Valley

Srinagar : Protests by Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) over the killing of their colleague Rahul Bhat by militants continued in parts of Kashmir for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday.
Witnesses said that KP’s who organised sit-ins in several parts of Kashmir against their colleague’s killing for the last six days have been demanding their relocation to a safe environment in the wake of a spurt in the attacks on the minority community members in the valley.
Senior Kashmir officials including IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar and Divisional Commissioner P K Pole met the protesters and assured them that their issues would be considered by the government.
In Budgam district, peaceful protest continued in Sheikhpora Budgam where the protesting KP’s are still seen angry with the government, demanding the government take more measures to protect them.
“We are on a peaceful sit-in and we want the government to take steps to protect us. Until our demands are not met, we will not end the protest,” said one of the protesters.
He said that the government has betrayed them that is why they continue their protest.
“How long will we see people in our community being killed?” asked Geeta, a woman protester.
In Kupwara, members of the community residing in Natnoosa colony in Kupwara district also staged a peaceful protest against the central government and demanded safety in the wake of the killing of their community member.
“We have never staged a sit-in. But when no one cares about our safety, we have no option but to hit the streets and it will continue till the government provides us justice,” said Rakash.
Meanwhile, the KP’s protest was also held in south Kashmir’s Vesu and Mattan areas where the protesters demanded fool-proof security arrangements for them to work freely. “We will continue our protest sit-in until the government fulfils our demands and does justice with us,” a group of protesters said.
In Ganderbal, a similar peaceful protest was witnessed at Kheer Bhawani where the protesters were seen holding banners with the pictures of Rahul Bhat and they were demanding justice for him