BJP panel to meet KP employees, strike enters 12th day

A BJP panel would meet the government employees from Kashmiri Pandit community, who are demonstrating against the attacks on their transit camps, even as their protest entered its 12th day.

"The committee has decided to meet the representative of (Kashmiri Pandit) employees (serving in the valley) to restore confidence in them about the prevailing circumstances (in Kashmir)," BJP state President and MLA Sat Sharma said.

Sat, who chaired a high-level meeting over the issue said, "The party as well as its ministers in the state coalition are keeping a vigil on the developments in the valley."

He said all efforts are being made to ensure that there is no loss of life and people are provided a safe environment where no one has to leave due to activities by anti-national elements.

Discussions were also held on the role of party leaders in contributing towards bringing peace and normalcy in the valley besides helping Amarnath yatris.

The panel, comprising MLC Ramesh Arora, General Secretary state BJP Narinder Singh, MLC Surinder Ambardar and Chandji Bhat, is to submit a detailed report to the party and the central government on the issue.

Meanwhile, the protests by Kashmiri Pandits entered the 12th day as angry employees continued their dharna in the compound of Relief Commissioners office (RCO) and raised slogans against the government.

"State and central governments have failed to protect Kashmiri Pandit employees from mob attacks on their transit accommodations in Kashmir. It was virtually a second migration of KPs from the valley," All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) Chief Vinood Pandit said while addressing protesters here.

He said Kashmiri Pandits, who had volunteered to serve in Kashmir had high hopes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi but these were dashed to the ground.

Over 1600 displaced Kashmiri Hindus were recruited under Prime Minister's special employment package and posted in Kashmir in 2009.

Over 1300 KP employees fled to Jammu after their transit camps were attacked by stone-pelting mobs protesting against the killing of militant leader Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.