Mumbai: Maharashtra stands firmly behind the Kashmiri Pandits and will do everything possible to help them, assured Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday. "For the last few days, targeted killing of Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus has been going on in Kashmir Valley. Within a month, nine Kashmiri Pandits were assassinated. Hundreds of frightened Kashmiri Pandits have started fleeing. The whole country is outraged," stated a release quoting Thackeray.
Thackeray further expressed grave concern over the situation in the valley. He said that Kashmiri Pandits are literally on the run in Kashmir Valley. "They were shown dreams of returning home, but on their return home, the Pandits are being picked and killed. In this horrific situation, a large number of Pandits started fleeing, which is a shocking as well as disturbing event," said Thackeray.
At this juncture, as the Shiv Sena party chief and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, I can promise that Maharashtra will stand firmly behind the Kashmiri Pandits in these difficult times," he said. When the Shivsena government was formed in Maharashtra in 1995, Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray had given reservation in education to the children of Kashmiri Pandits in Maharashtra.
Also read: Targeted killings in J&K: 177 Kashmiri Pandit teachers transferred to 'safer' locations
Mentioning the Shiv Sena chief has consistently raised his voice for the protection of Kashmiri Pandits, the CM said that Maharashtra has always maintained a sensitive relationship with Kashmiri Pandits. "We consider it our duty and look at it with a sense of duty. We are currently closely monitoring the situation in the valley. Talks are also underway with leaders of Kashmiri Pandits. I repeat we will do everything possible for Kashmiri Pandits. They will not be left in the lurch. Maharashtra will do its duty," assured the Maharashtra CM.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also expressed concerns over the situation. "Kashmir is burning again, the situation there is out of control & important people of Delhi (central govt) are busy promoting films. No one is willing to listen to the Kashmiris. The Kashmiri Pandits are forced to agitate, what is the govt doing?" he asked. Furthermore, speaking about his visit to Ayodhya, he said, "I am leaving for Ayodhya today along with Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde and others. Aaditya Thackeray will be visiting Ayodhya on June 15th. We do not have any political agenda for this visit."
Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray also expressed concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the recent targeted killings in the union territory and termed the situation 'deeply concerning'. He further said that the doors of Maharashtra are always open for Kashmiri Pandits. Speaking about the recent killings of Hindus in the Kashmir Valley, Thackeray said, "The situation in Kashmir is deeply concerning. It's unfortunate that the situation is repeating itself again. We expect the Government of India to take strong measures to ensure their protection."
A bank manager, identified as Vijay Kumar, was shot dead outside his office by terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Earlier this week 36-year-old Hindu woman teacher Rajni Bala, hailing from Jammu's Samba district, was shot dead by terrorists at a government school in Gopalpora, Kulgam. Last month, two civilians - including Kashmiri Pandit employee Rahul Bhat -- and three off-duty policemen were killed in Kashmir by terrorists. (With Agency Inputs)
