Idrees Ali
Ganderbal Jan 26【KNZ】: On 20th Anniversary of Wandhama massacre Pandits and Muslim community paid tribute to the 23 Pandits killed On 25th January in Wandhama Village here.
According to locals in Wandhama during intervening night of 25th and 26th January unidentified gunman barged in houses of Pandits in the village and brutally murdered 23 innocent Pandits.
Special prayer ‘Maha sharad’ was performed at Priyagaraj and Shadipora in Ganderbal district for the Pandits killed during the Wandhama massacre.
Bharat Raina United Kashmiyat Front Chairman said, “Wandhama massacre was a brutal act. It shook the trust between Muslim community and Pandits. But unfortunate thing is successive government failed to bring justice to those who were murdered. Many investigations were carried on since then but nothing credible was found.”
Bharat Raina said “The massacre was a conspiracy. we demand government should properly investigate into the killings of Pandits and real cause of Pandit exodus from Valley. Kashmir Pandits have become tool of politics. Nobody is serious about rehabilitation of Pandits.”
Locals said Lot of of Pandits left during early years of insurgency but many Pandits in the village stayed and were living safely during peak years of insurgency but during intervening night of 25th and 26th January when most of the Muslims were praying on occasion of Shab-e-qadr a lady informed us some thing has happen till then we heard nothing because of loud speakers later on in morning we found bodies laying in each house of Pandits. Out of 24 Pandits only one survived. 10 males, 9 females and 4 children were killed the youngest among them was one and half year old child.
Veerji Raina a Pandit said, “Wandhama massacre was very Unfortunate but we should move on.There was little trust deficit between Muslims community and Pandits but the good thing is that the gap is bringing up. Government should come up with strong rehabilitation policies for migrated Pandits.”
Feeling nostalgic one of the resident said “I still remember, we used to live together, we used to eat together,celebrate festivals and participate in each other marriages. All the left over property of Pandits is still safe here. They are most welcome to come back.”KNZ
