Srinagar: In the wake of a series of civilian killings, an apex body of the non-migrant Pandits on Thursday appealed to the mosque committees to make a call to the public in Friday prayers to protect minorities and restore their shaken confidence.
Friday is a revered day in Islam and congregational prayers are offered and thousands attend the mosques across valley.
Last Friday, on the appeal of the President of Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) Sanjay Tickoo, two mosques in Srinagar had requested public to ensure safety of Pandits.
Tickoo said from the last few days the role done by these mosque committees is commendable and the reassurance messages from mosques have sparked a new ray of hope of understanding and community bonding.
“As such, I once again humbly request all Masjid Committees in Kashmir Valley that after Friday prayers they should give some time to stress upon the value and importance of the Kashmiri Society with respect to social and moral security of the minorities living in Kashmir Valley,” he said.
On October 5 evening, a Kashmiri Pandit and owner of Srinagar’s famous chemist Makhan Lal Bindroo was killed by militants. An hour later two civilians including a hawker from Bihar were killed in two separate incidents. Two days later teachers from the minority Sikh and Hindu community were shot dead in broad daylight by militants in a school in Srinagar. Police claimed to have solved two cases of recent civilian killings.
The series of killings triggered panic among the minorities and fears of another migration. There are nearly 800 Kashmiri Pandit families living in different parts of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandits on Wednesday performed Ramnavmi puja at Durga Nath temple in Srinagar’s Sonwar area.
