Kashmiri Pandits celebrate Basant Panchami in Valley

Srinagar, Feb 8 (PTI) The small population of KashmiriPandits living in the Valley today celebrated BasantPanchami by organizing a special Puja at a city temple here.

"The Basant Panchami was celebrated at the SheetleshwarBhairav Mandir at Barbarshah here," Kashmiri Pandit SangharshSamiti President Sanjay Tikkoo said.

In a statement, Tikkoo accused successive stategovernments and local political parties of ignoring the plightof Kashmiri Pandits who did not leave the Valley despitemilitant violence.

"We strongly believe that the State and centralgovernments treat Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley as secondclass citizens," he alleged.