SRINAGAR: Employees recruited under the Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package (PMRP) in Jammu and Kashmir have renewed their protests, demanding secure accommodation and expressing deep concerns over their safety following recent threats. The group, primarily Kashmiri Pandits working in the Valley, has warned of an escalation, including a hunger strike, if their demands for secure housing and protection are not met by the administration.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the protests stem from a palpable sense of fear and insecurity among the employees and their families. This anxiety has been amplified by the circulation of online threat letters, some linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) proxies, which have leaked personal details of several employees, including their phone numbers and residential locations. The threats have led to advisories for these employees to work from home, with some being safely relocated from Srinagar to other areas.
The current situation echoes the events of 2022, when a series of targeted attacks on Kashmiri Pandit employees resulted in fatalities and widespread protests demanding relocation outside the Valley. At that time, the government had opted to move employees to comparatively safer locations within Kashmir rather than relocating them externally. The renewed threats, occurring in the wake of recent terror incidents, have intensified fears and prompted community leaders to urge the administration to reassess security protocols, address information leaks, and ensure robust protection for those serving in the Valley.
The PMRP, introduced in 2008-09, was designed to facilitate the dignified return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits by providing employment and secure transit accommodations. However, for many, working in the Valley remains a mandatory condition of their employment. The employees have highlighted that while they are willing to serve, the current security situation is not conducive. They have repeatedly called for comprehensive security audits of their residential colonies and workplaces, along with demands for permanent armed protection and emergency evacuation protocols.
The protesters have expressed disillusionment with the administration’s response, citing a lack of concrete action despite past assurances. They have also pointed to the fact that many employees still reside in rented accommodations without adequate security, increasing their vulnerability. The recent threats have led to intensified patrolling and surveillance around minority habitations, with security agencies working to track down terror modules and neutralize those involved in issuing threats.
The administration has advised Kashmiri Pandit employees to exercise heightened caution and has unofficially directed departments to keep affected employees off duty. The employees are seeking swift action from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, including a special investigation team to probe the threat letters and their origins. They are also requesting a review of their transfer policy and the provision of comprehensive and safe living accommodations. The administration is reportedly assessing the security grid and plans to announce additional measures to protect vulnerable populations.
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The Chenab Times News Desk