New Delhi: As many as 14 people from minority communities, including three Kashmiri Pandits, were killed in Jammu and Kashmir this year so far, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said 180 militants, 31 security personnel and 31 civilians have also been killed in 123 incidents so far in 2022.
Replying to a written question, the minister said, "14 persons belonging to minorities including three Kashmiri Pandits have been killed in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir since January, 2022 till November 30, 2022."
Rai further said that there were certain media reports of Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti highlighting their security concerns and several measures were taken by the government to protect the lives of minorities, including group security in the form of static guards, day and night area domination, round the clock patrolling at strategic locations, among others.
Notably, under Prime Minister's Development Package, 2015, 3,000 government jobs have been generated for Kashmiri migrants, of which, 2,639 have been appointed in the last five years, Rai further said.
Eight Journalists Working In Kashmir Received Threat From Terrorists Online: Govt
As many as eight journalists working in Kashmir received online threat from terrorists and four of them have reportedly resigned from their jobs, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in the Rajya Sabha.
"As reported, eight journalists working for Srinagar-based local newspapers received threat through terror blog "Kashmir Fight". Four media persons have reportedly resigned. The media persons who resigned belong to the media house 'Rising Kashmir'," he said.
The minister said a case has been registered at the Shergari police station in Srinagar in this regard.
Rai further said that the government has a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, and the security situation has improved significantly in Jammu and Kashmir.