J&K Pandits Face Credible Threats; Admin Refutes WFH Amid Leak Fears

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has officially denied issuing any "work from home" orders for Kashmiri Pandits employed in the Kashmir Valley, even as the community faces renewed threats and has approached national human rights bodies for intervention. The administration's stance comes amidst a serious escalation where personal data of Prime Minister Package Employees has allegedly been leaked online, appearing in purported terror threat letters.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has weighed in on the grave situation, stating unequivocally that "a credible threat cannot be taken lightly." This emphasizes the serious nature of the situation, contrasting with the administration's denial of special work arrangements.

Rakesh Handu, a prominent Pandit social activist, confirmed he is in contact with six employees whose names and mobile numbers were explicitly mentioned in an online threat letter. These individuals have since been relocated to Jammu for their safety. Handu, representing Kashmiri Pandit PM Package employees, has formally submitted a representation to both the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Minorities (NCM). The plea specifically calls for an investigation into how sensitive personal data of these employees was compromised and made public in these threat communications.

Handu's letter highlights a disturbing pattern, noting that similar threat letters and lists containing names, departments, places of posting, and personal mobile numbers have circulated in previous years, notably in 2022 and 2023, attributed to groups like Kashmir Fight / TRF (The Resistance Front). He reminded the commissions that following the targeted killings of Rahul Bhat and Rajni Bala post-2019, many Pandit employees had submitted mass resignations, citing a direct threat to their lives.

The letter powerfully asserts that "When a religious minority serving the Government is openly threatened, named, and told not to hoist the national flag, it is a test of human rights and minority rights in a democracy." The community is demanding an immediate First Information Report (FIR) and a comprehensive probe by the police’s Cyber Cell and the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Furthermore, they have called for an urgent security audit of all PM Package employees and transit camps, especially ahead of the August 15th celebrations. Until a thorough threat assessment is complete, the community requests permission for work-from-home arrangements or attachment to offices in Jammu.

Despite these urgent appeals and the Chief Minister's warning, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg reiterated on Friday that no official order has been issued mandating work-from-home for Pandit employees. This leaves the community in a precarious position, grappling with serious security concerns while navigating official directives.

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