Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu stage protest against imposition of Electricity Bills

Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday staged massive protest against the Jammu Kashmir administration in the Jagti township of Jammu district.

Hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits raising slogans against the Jammu Kashmir admin Jammu Power Devlopment Corporation Limited (JPDCL) demanded that the order of imposing electricity charges recently imposed on Kashmiri Pandits should be revoked.

“The administration is conspiring against the Kashmiri Pandits. We are not living here with our choice. This is not even our house. We are living in temporary settlements in Jagti town,” a female protestor said.

They alleged that the Pandits were being forced to sign agreements with the Power Department. “Because we have not signed the agreements, the Department has cut down our electricity. It is a complete power outage in the Pandit colony in Jagti,” said another protestor.

“We are not here to celebrate picnic or anything. We are victims of militancy and were forced to leave our home in Kashmir that is why we are in these temporary structures. We are refugees here,” he said.

“Does the BJP only want to use Kashmiri Pandits for their nationalist agenda, because it seems that the party does not care to listen to us. We are living on a stipend of 9,000 rupees a month. Do they (BJP) only want to earn votes using us? Why is the media not coming to us now? Do we only matter when we are used for films that earn votes and money,” a protestor asked.

Meanwhile, the ADC of Jammu visited Jagti township and met the representatives of All Party Action Committee Migrants Jagti Township, Jammu Kashmir. The official assured that the issue will be resolved soon.