Almost two weeks after terrorists killed Kashmiri Pandit Rahul Bhat, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday evening visited his house in Jammu and offered condolences to his family.
Officials said Sinha visited Bhat's family at Ban Talab in the outskirts of Jammu and expressed his condolences to his parents, wife, and other members of the family.
The government stand shoulder to shoulder with the family and assured them of all possible assistance, said Sinha in a tweet.
After Sinha left, Rahul’s father Bitu Jee Bhat said Sinha assured his family of all possible help from the government.
Bittu Jee said, "We were assured that the government will do whatever possible to provide relief to us."
Bhat’s wife said an assurance was given that she will get a better job besides the expenses for the education of her daughter would be borne by the government. The agitated Kashmiri pandits are demanding adequate compensation and a government job for the wife of the deceased.
Bhat, 35, was shot dead by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists at his office in the Chadoora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district on May 12. He had got the job of a clerk under the special employment package for migrants in 2010-11.
His killing led to widespread protests by minority Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir, several of whom were Bhat's fellow staffers employed under the government scheme. They demanded relocation to safer places outside Kashmir and threatened mass resignation. The police lathi-charged the protesters and fired tear-gas shells at them.
On Monday, Sinha visited the Sheikhpora migrant camp where Kashmiri Pandit employees are protesting for over a week after Bhat's killing. Sinha assured them that their problems will be addressed honestly, officials said.
After paying homage to Bhat and listening to the protesting employees, Sinha said while it is true that he visited the camp late, he used to get information about the difficulties faced by the employees.
He said, "It was said that I came late here, which is true. I wanted to come that day only (after Bhat's killing). That morning, I met Bhat's sister and his brother-in-law. First, I was told that a delegation was coming to meet me, but then I was told that you wanted me to come here."
"I have come from outside. You know it and there is no need to tell you under which scheme you have been employed. The present administration, not only in Bhat's case but if any person is killed, honestly tries to get to the root of the case. There is no other agenda. While there can be no compensation for anyone's death, the government has its own process."
(With PTI inputs)
