After threat letter, Kashmiri Pandits working in Valley asked to stay at home

Following the receipt of a threatening letter online, directing Kashmiri Pandits who work in the Valley to alter their behavior, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has reportedly instructed departments to grant leave to such employees. This directive emerged roughly a week after two migrant workers were killed at a brick kiln in south Kashmir's Kulgam on July 31, which heightened the security establishment's vigilance.

Police sources assert that they are confirming the letter's authenticity, which was disseminated on the internet by a group identified as the United Liberation Council, potentially a secondary front for the Lashkar-e-Toiba. The letter, purportedly from this group, cautioned Kashmiri Pandit residents residing outside Kashmir but working in the Valley to change their habits.

The letter provided the names and phone numbers of several employees, all of whom reportedly work for the Revenue Department. Although the government has not issued an official order, it is believed that verbal directives were given to several departments, especially schools and the Revenue Department, to advise Kashmiri Pandit employees to stay indoors.

A principal of a government school mentioned that they were first told to grant special leave to migrant employees on August 5 (the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370). Following that, they were instructed to ask them to remain at home for a period. However, when contacted, Naseer Ahmad Wani, Director of School Education, denied any such orders.

All employees are reportedly arriving at their duties as usual. The All Prime Minister's Special Rehabilitation and Employment Package for Kashmiri migrants' president, Sunny Raina, stated that around 9,000 such employees are posted in the Valley. He expressed his discontent with the situation, stating, "We have been told to stay home after these posters came up, but that is not a solution to our problem.

We have a social life as well. I have to go to the market to fetch household items, to get medicines." Security for migrant employees has reportedly been reinforced, and they are being asked not to attend work until August 20 as a precautionary measure. The employees listed in the letter have been advised to remain even more vigilant.