The All PM Package Employees Forum, Kashmir, has appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for help over threats being received by Kashmiri Hindu employees and their families in the Valley.
The forum said that employees who returned to Kashmir and rebuilt their lives over the past 16 years are now more concerned about their safety following a recent rise in threatening letters and incidents of intimidation.
According to the forum, targeted killings since 2021 have created a sense of fear among people and revived memories of the 1990s. This has also increased fears of possible fresh displacement.
Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, the forum said, “The situation may appear normal on the surface, but tension persists on the ground.” The employees’ organisation said the threats issued also mentioned settlements. This has caused concern among families.
The forum has demanded a thorough investigation into the threats, strict action against those responsible, the strengthening of the intelligence network and increased precautionary security measures, along with a comprehensive security review of the homes and settlements of PM Package employees.
On 7 August, the ULC sent a second threatening letter, which mentioned the names of Kashmiri Pandits, their home addresses, vehicle registration numbers and even the colour of the vehicles.
ULC claimed to be targeting Kashmiri Pandits
“Wherever you live or go, your every move is being monitored. Do not become pawns by working for the government.”
This is the third consecutive time Kashmiri Pandits have received such a threat. They received three threatening letters between 7 August and 1 September. The letters contain not only the names of Kashmiri Pandits but also their home addresses, vehicle registration numbers and even the colours of their vehicles. Kashmiri Pandits are more fearful after their personal information was leaked. They are demanding an investigation and security.
The United Liberation Council (ULC) sent the letters through a Telegram channel. Intelligence agencies consider it a front organisation of the terrorist group Lashkar. The group is angry over the seizure of terrorists’ properties. The ULC has claimed to have targeted government departments and Kashmiri Pandits. The government subsequently directed Kashmiri Pandits to work from home.
On 23 August, the ULC sent a second threatening letter, which mentioned the names of Kashmiri Pandits, their home addresses, vehicle registration numbers and even the colour of the vehicles.
Kashmiri Pandits say… “What will happen by staying hidden inside our homes?”
Sahil further says, “The administration is asking us to work from home, but what difference will that make? Children have to be sent to school, there are several errands to run in the market, and medicines have to be brought for sick or elderly people at home. How can we manage by staying at home?”
Sahil also appeals to civil society and NGOs to condemn the threats. He says, “If the government cannot provide security, it should at least provide employees with licensed weapons and training for self-defence.”
‘Home Left Behind 37 Years Ago, Still Waiting to Return Today’
Rakesh Kaul, a displaced Kashmiri Pandit living in Jammu, says the threatening letters are reviving the fear of 37 years ago that forced Kashmiri Pandits to leave their homes. He says, “Earlier, newspapers used to publish messages telling us to leave Kashmir and calling us traitors; the same language is still being used today.”
The agencies should get to the root of these threats, especially when the letters even carry people’s names and addresses. Kashmiri Pandit families may be afraid, but the threats will not break their morale. We have witnessed more than 400 years of history. Kashmiri Pandits have never bowed and never will.
Kaul claims that even today, there are many people in Kashmir who understand that Kashmiri Pandits have the right to return. However, some people do not want us to return. They include those issuing the threats, who have occupied the land and property of displaced people.
They consider the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits over the past 37 years a failure of society as well as successive governments. Kaul has repeatedly called for an investigation into the threats being issued. He says it must be ascertained who is behind them and what their motive is.
On 1 September, Kashmiri Pandits received another threatening letter from the United Liberation Council (ULC).
If everything is normal, why are Kashmiri Pandits still outside the Valley after 37 years?
Dr Agnishekhar, founder-convenor of the organisation Panun Kashmir, is demanding separate land for displaced Kashmiri Pandits. He says governments claim that millions of tourists are arriving and that the situation has returned to normal. If everything has changed, why are Kashmiri Pandits still outside Kashmir? Why have they not been able to return and be rehabilitated even after the abrogation of Article 370?
Agnishekhar claims, “The network and ecosystem of terrorism still exist. The nature of terrorism has changed, and new threats such as hybrid terrorism have emerged. The threats received recently raise questions about the security of employees who returned to Kashmir under the PM package. If these employees and their families are not safe, whose return are we talking about?”
“A policy necessary for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits should be formulated. Working from home is not a permanent solution. Government employees and their families will have to leave their homes to lead a normal life.”
Agnishekhar says, expressing concern, “The recent threats could be a sign of preparations for a major incident. The authorities should take them seriously.” Police and administration maintain silence on the matter
Police and security agencies are investigating the authenticity of these threatening letters and their source. We tried to seek the police and administration’s response on the matter, but they have maintained silence.
Technocrat and social activist Sanjay Sapru has written an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu over threatening letters and the public disclosure of his personal information, seeking her intervention in the matter. Sanjay has urged the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to investigate the matter within a fixed timeframe and expose those responsible and the network behind it.
