The All PM Package Employees Forum Kashmir has sought immediate enhancement of security arrangements for Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley following the emergence of a fresh threat.
In a representation submitted to the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, the forum expressed serious concern over the safety of migrant Kashmiri Pandit employees serving under the Prime Minister's Package.
The forum said a threat poster purportedly issued by an outfit calling itself the United Liberation Council (ULC) on August 23 had surfaced on social media and reportedly contained threats against PM Package employees.
According to the representation, the poster also mentioned sensitive personal details, including names, residential addresses and vehicle numbers of certain individuals.
"The authenticity of the poster is yet to be verified by the Police and security agencies. However, the repeated circulation of such threat letters and posters, particularly those containing sensitive personal information, is a matter of grave concern," the forum said.
The employees' body said the matter had been brought to the notice of the concerned police and security agencies for verification and necessary action.Referring to previous targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandit employees in the Valley, the forum said the repeated circulation of threat letters and posters had created a deep sense of fear and insecurity among PM Package employees.
The forum urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to provide enhanced and adequate security cover to PM Package employees posted across the Kashmir Valley and carry out an immediate and thorough verification of the latest threat poster.
It also sought a comprehensive review of security arrangements at workplaces, residential accommodations and transit routes used by the employees.
The forum further demanded immediate protection and necessary security guidance for employees whose names, addresses or vehicle details have allegedly appeared in the threat material.
"We sincerely hope that the government will treat the matter with utmost seriousness and take immediate preventive measures based on the latest security assessment and intelligence inputs," the All PM Package Employees Forum Kashmir said.
There has so far been no official word about the purported threat from security agencies.
This is the second instance this month in which Kashmiri Pandit employees working in government departments in the Valley have claimed to have received threats from a militant group. Following the earlier threat, the employees were reportedly asked to work from home until August 20. However, the government later clarified that no such order had been issued directing Pandit employees to work from home.
Around 6,000 Kashmiri Pandit employees are currently working in various government departments across the Valley under the PM Package. The employees are largely accommodated in designated transit colonies and are provided security cover.