Kashmiri Pandit Govt Employees To Be Now Posted In Less Vulnerable Areas For Their Safety

The move comes in the wake of the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit employee Rahul Bhat inside his office in Chadoora area of Budgam district by the terrorists earlier on May 12.

Representative Photo (Getty Images)

New Delhi: The divisional administration in Kashmir on Wednesday directed all the heads of departments to ensure that Kashmiri Pandit employees serving in the valley are posted only in less vulnerable areas such as towns and district headquarters to ensure their safety and security.

The move comes in the wake of the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit employee Rahul Bhat inside his office in Chadoora area of Budgam district by the terrorists earlier on May 12.

“We had a meeting with all heads of departments and chief engineers,” Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P.K. Pole, told reporters in Srinagar, PTI reported.

“I have told them to ensure that the Kashmiri Pandit employees are posted in less vulnerable areas like towns and district headquarters,” he added.

The Kashmiri Pandit employees, who were employed under the Prime Minister’s employment package for migrants, have been protesting for six days now and demanding transfers to safer places like Jammu.

The Divisional Commissioner, however, evaded a direct reply when asked if the government is willing to consider the demands of the protesting employees such as shifting them to Jammu.

Pole said the administration will resolve the service-related matters concerning the Kashmiri Pandit employees within a week.

“Eventually, all government employees have to follow a code of conduct. We are looking into it.... They will not be posted in remote or vulnerable areas,” Pole said.

“The issue of couples being posted in different areas will also be addressed. They will be posted closer to their colonies so that their commuting time is also less,” he added.

Responding to a poser about the civilians killed in “cross-firing” in Shopian over the last 10 days, the Divisional Commissioner said the next of kin of the deceased will get all benefits, including ex-gratia relief under the relevant SRO.

“There is a set procedure for investigating civilian killings. A magisterial probe has been ordered,” Pole said.

“The next of kin of the innocent victims will get whatever is due to them under the (relevant) SRO,” he added.

Two civilians were in the last 10 days killed in alleged cross-firing between the security forces and terrorists in Shopian district.