Save Kashmir from becoming Syria: Panun Kashmir to govt

Jammu, Jul 22: Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today said the Centre should recognise the "fundamentalist upsurge" in Kashmir and take immediate steps to prevent the region from becoming another "Islamist-controlled territory like Pakistan and Syria".

It also said the central government should come out with a white paper on atrocities inflicted on Hindus in the Valley during the unrest over killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

"We urge the central government to take immediate steps to prevent Kashmir from becoming another Islamist-controlled territory like parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq," the organisation's convener Agnishakher told reporters.

"The government should remove the blinkers and recognise the fundamentalist upsurge in Kashmir and parts of Jammu as a part of the global jihad," he said. The organisation also denounced the political parties in the Valley for "hiding the religious, fascist nature of the unrest".

"It is unfortunate that NC, PDP, Congress and BJP have allowed themselves to be reduced to mere over ground support structures for fundamentalists waging a war of jihad in the state," Agnishakher said.

Chairman of Panun Kashmir, Ajay Chrungoo, claimed "mobs indulged in attacks on Hindus in Kashmir and Amaranth pilgrims. It is shameful that the Union government and the members of Parliament are yet to inform the nation of these grave communal offences."

"Panun Kashmir demands that the Indian government come out with a white paper on the atrocities inflicted on Hindus in Kashmir during the unrest and take administrative and legal action against people indulging in seditious activities in the state," he said.

PTI