Protests are being held in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir since last evening as Kashmiri Pandits demand safety in the wake of the killing of a 36-year-old government employee from the community.
Members of the Kashmiri Pandit Employees Association are protesting at Anantnag and demanding justice for the killing of Chadoora Tehsil office employee Rahul Bhat in Budgam.
"We ask the govt to re-locate us to places where we feel rehabilitated," Sandeep Bhat, a member of the association, said.
Kashmiri Pandits are also protesting at Sheikhpora, Budgam. "The administration should provide security, else we will resort to mass resignation from our respective posts," says Amit, a Kashmiri Pandit.
This morning, SPO Riyaz Ahmad Thoker, a local resident, was shot at and injured by terrorists at Gudoora Pulwama. He succumbed to his injuries at a Pulwama hospital.
In what appeared to be another targeted attack, terrorists barged into the Tehsildar's office at Chadoora village in Budgam district yesterday and shot Rahul Bhat. He was rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The 36-year-old had been working in Budgam district for the past 10 years after his appointment under a special package to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits. His body was taken to Jammu for last rites.
Rahul Bhat is the third Kashmiri Pandit to be killed in the past six months. Two others have been injured.