Government authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have reportedly advised some Kashmiri Pandit employees working in the Valley to stay home and remain vigilant after an online threat document containing their personal details surfaced on social media.
The document, which is being investigated by security agencies, reportedly names several government employees along with their phone numbers and other information. Following its circulation, security forces have increased surveillance and patrolling around areas where Kashmiri Pandit employees and their families live.
Threat Document Names Six Employees
According to police and security officials, the document has been attributed to a group calling itself the United Liberation Council (ULC), which security agencies suspect could be a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The document reportedly names at least six Kashmiri Pandit government employees, all said to be associated with the Revenue Department. It allegedly includes their names, phone numbers, family details and residential information.
The threat reportedly accuses migrant employees of being involved in government action related to land and property and asks them to “change their ways”.
Police are investigating the authenticity of the document and trying to trace how the information was obtained and circulated online.
Kashmir Police Inspector General VK Birdi said agencies were examining the material and working to determine its source.
Employees Asked to Stay Home
While the government has not issued a formal order covering all Kashmiri Pandit employees, verbal instructions have reportedly been given to some departments to allow vulnerable employees to remain at home or take leave as a precaution.
Employees working in departments such as education and revenue have reportedly been advised not to attend work for the time being.
Sunny Raina, president of the All Prime Minister’s Package Employees association, said, “We have been told to stay home after these posters came up, but that is a temporary measure. Safety remains our chief concern.”
However, there appears to be no uniform government order on the matter. Director of School Education Naseer Ahmad Wani said that his department had not instructed employees to work from home or take leave.
“We have not asked any employee to work from home or take leave. All employees are regularly coming to duty,” Wani said.
Security Increased Around Pandit Communities
Security forces have stepped up patrolling and surveillance around areas where Kashmiri Pandit employees and their families reside. Officials are assessing whether the online threat represents a specific and credible security risk.
The development has also raised concerns among community organisations over the alleged leak of confidential information.
The Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti has demanded an investigation into how the personal details of government employees reached those behind the threat document. Panun Kashmir convenor Dr Agnishekhar has also called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to review security arrangements for Kashmiri Pandit employees.
Around 6,000 Kashmiri migrants have received benefits under the Prime Minister’s Special Rehabilitation and Employment Package, which was introduced to support the return and employment of displaced Kashmiri families in the Valley. Employee representatives, however, put the number of such employees currently working in the Valley at around 9,000.
Employees Raise Safety Concerns
The latest threat has renewed concerns among Kashmiri Pandit employees, particularly in light of attacks on migrant employees in 2022. At least five people were killed in a series of militant attacks that year, following which employees staged prolonged protests demanding transfers outside Kashmir.
Raina said employees had earlier protested for nearly 350 days over security concerns.
“We wanted a permanent transfer to Jammu, but L-G sahib didn’t listen. He stopped our salary for six months, forcing us to resume our duties,” he alleged.
