Kashmiri pandits observe "Balidan Divas''

Chandigarh, Sep 14 (UNI) Kashmiri pandits here today observed ''Balidan Divas'' to commemorate the martyrdom of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tika Lal Taploo in 1989 and subsequent killings of the community members by militants in Kashmir valley.

Carrying placards against terrorism, Pakistan and the Government's apathy towards the community, they assembled at Matka Chowk here and recalled their exodus from the valley due to militancy.

They observed a two-minute silence to mark the martyrdom of Mr Taploo and all those members of the community who fell to militants' bullets.

The ''Balidan Divas'' was organised under the banner of Kashmiri Sahayak Samiti, Chandigarh, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Panchkula and Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Mohali.

Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh, listing some of the immediate concerns of the community and demanding that Kashmiri pandits should be involved in the process of dialogue at all levels.

UNI VKJ HS PK RS1930