The relatives of Puran Krishan Bhat who was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Chowdhary Gund Shopian few days back on Wednesday said Kashmiri Muslims are equally grieved on the killings of minority members in valley and said, “the Muslim neighbors told us kill our sons if they would be found involved somehow in the assassination of Puran Bhat”.
They said the spate of killings of minorty members in valley has triggered scare among the community members however maintained, “The majority community (Muslims) too don’t have any clue who is behind these killings”.
Ashok Pandit, a relative of Late Puran Krishan Bhat while speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) said the neighbors of the slain Bhat have provided wholehearted support to the family during these years. He said during the turmoil years slain Bhat lived his life with majority community happily who shared every odd and even together, however both Kashmiri Muslims as well as Pandits are threatened after spate of killings by unidentified gunmen in valley have been started.
Ashok said the neighbors of Late Puran Krishan Bhat are also annoyed why “unidentified” gunmen snatched his life and left his family in a devastating situation. “He was never ever associated to any political organisation. We are unable to understand why he was killed? What was the sin he was killed for”, Ashok said.
He also said that the slain Kashmiri Pandit was engaged in his orchards and was busy in harvesting crop which was his mean of livelihood and a source to feed his family. “The crop lies at the orchard. The family is unable to restore normal affairs of life. But it is our Muslim neighbours who are taking care of our crop at this juncture”, he said.
P K Bhat, another relative of the slain Kashmir Pandit said since target killings took place in Kashmir the community members are feeling scared and have been limited to their homes. He said the perpetrators of the crime should have been exposed at first step so that further lives could have been saved.
The family members and relatives appealed to Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha to expedite the investigation into the matter and expose the killers. “It is a duty of the government to unveil the truth and expose the killers of slain Bhat”, the relatives said.
They added the government has probing agencies and it is not difficult for them to bring the killers to justice.
