Kashmiri Pandit Rahul Bhat cremated

May 13, 2022 12:01

Rahul Bhat's body being taken from the hospital. Pic: Umar Ganie

Government employee Rahul Bhat, who was shot dead by terrorists inside his office in central Kashmir's Budgam district, was cremated on Friday amid a protest by members of the Kashmiri Pandit community in Jammu.

Rahul Bhat was gunned down by terrorists inside the Tehsil office in Chadoora town on Thursday. He had got the job of a clerk under the special employment package for migrants in 2010-11.

As the mortal remains of Rahul Bhat reached his home in Durga Nagar area of Jammu on Friday morning, his relatives wept inconsolably.

Rahul Bhat's wife and daughter who lived with him at the Sheikhpora migrant colony in Budgam, accompanied the body as it arrived from Kashmir.

His brother Sunny lit the pyre at the Buntalab cremation ground as chants of "long live Rahul Bhat" rented the air.

The community members, including Rahul Bhat's family, accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of making young Kashmiri Hindus "cannon fodder" in the name of rehabilitation of the community.

They also said the incident has shattered their dream of resettling permanently in the valley.

"You (BJP) have formulated a plan to get young Kashmiri Pandits killed in the name of giving them jobs and rehabilitating them," Soon Nath Bhat, a relative of Rahul Bhat said. Such people are sitting ducks for terrorists who are using them for target practice, he added.

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