Unhappy family members of Kashmiri pandit employee Rahul Bhat, killed by terrorists inside his office in Chadoora, Budgam, Saturday claimed the Union Territory administration has not done justice with his wife by offering Class-IV job in the school education department.
The family members accompanied by close relatives performed special prayers in Jammu on Saturday in the memory of Rahul Bhat. Sharing his angst, Bittu jee Bhat, father of Rahul Bhat Saturday said, "my son has sacrificed his life and the government has offered a class IV job to his wife". He said she is qualified enough to take up other jobs. I am not going to allow her to go to the school education department and serve tea and clean utensils there as a class IV employee. I would rather not accept it and tell her to stay at home".
On Wednesday, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, alongwith Additional Director General of Police Jammu, Mukesh Singh had handed over appointment letter and ex gratia amount to the family of Rahul Bhat.
The Government had sanctioned the compassionate appointment of Meenakshi Raina W/o Late Rahul Bhat R/o Sangrampora Beerwah Budgam, under SRO-43 of 1994. She was appointed as Class-IV in the Pay level of SL 1(14800-47100) in the Government Higher Secondary School Nowabad, Jammu (School education department) on compassionate grounds under SRO-43 of 1994,read with SRO-199 of 2008 dated 04.07.2008.
A financial assistance of Rs 5 Lakh as ex-gratia relief was also handed over to the family.
On the other hand, a large number of Kashmiri pandit migrant employees also shaved off their heads during special prayers organised in the Kashmir valley to mark the 10 th day of his supreme sacrifice.
Protest marches were taken out by the employees across Kashmir valley. A sit in dharna was also organised in the Lal Chowk area where Kashmiri migrant employees raised the one point demand of safe evacuation from Kashmir valley.
Agitated employees who shaved off their heads claimed they decided to do so in solidarity with the aggrieved family of Rahul Bhat. "We wanted to convey to the family and especially to the young daughter of Rahul, She is not alone. We are all standing by her side at this hour. We will continue to fight for justice for Rahul Bhat".
The employees claimed, the targeted killings of Kashmiri pandits have not stopped in Kashmir valley. "We are being made cannon fodder. We will not become scapegoats.People are playing dirty politics and the blood of Kashmiri pandits is being bartered for vested interests". The employees thundered, "we want to convey to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to deliver justice to them".