The District Administration of Anantnag in Kashmir has denied reports that a Kashmiri Hindu family that returned to the state was prevented from constructing a house on their land. As per the administration, the viral video on the issue was showing argument between two families over building a wall on govt land.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that a Kashmiri Hindu family was targeted by the radical Muslims in the valley. As per reports, the family was trying to return to their roots and settle in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir when they were attacked by their neighbours. Media reports stated that the family was building a house but it didn’t go down well with the locals who prevented them from doing further construction and even destroyed their belongings. They also threatened the Kashmiri Pandits to leave from there.
According to a Navbharat Times report, a Kashmiri Pandit named Sanjay Wali in the Verinag area of Anantnag had mustered up the courage to rebuild his house after the 1990 anti-Hindu massacre there. He returned to his hometown, leaving the brutal past behind and started the construction on his land. Notably, just like the rest of Kashmir, this neighbourhood is also surrounded by Muslim households.
He complained that the Muslims are creating problems for him as he tries to build a house for his family. They are mentally harassing him. His family is also being subjected to abuse as his neighbours are not happy with his decision to settle among them. He highlighted that his family was assaulted after the Lok Sabha election result was declared on 4th June. Some people arrived there and misbehaved with his family as well as thrashed them. All the material he brought to build his house was thrown away and taken by other individuals.
This happened with a Kashmiri Hindu family who dared to go back to Kashmir & build their house at Verinag , they were attacked by their neighbours .Just 24 hours after results this is what is happening in Kashmir pic.twitter.com/IryhKLNXZZ
— Dr.SushmaShallakaul🇮🇳 (@shallakaul) June 6, 2024
Sanjay Wali was threatened to depart from the area and not erect a house there. The footage of the incident has been going viral on social media in which some people including are seen fighting with another female. The Kashmiri Pandit family is now scared for their safety. He is afraid that something similar to the 1990 violence might occur to him. Concerns have been raised about the security arrangements as the occurrence transpired within 24 hours of the election results.
Clarification from district administration
After the video and reports went viral on social media, the Anantnag Administration issued a statement refuting the claims. They said that the video was blown out of proportion, and issued the clarification to avoid any misunderstanding and misinformation.
As per the statement, the dispute was over approximately 3 Marlas of state land, which was being used as a parking place by the parties involved in the incident. One party in the dispute attempted to construct a boundary wall on the state land, which was objected to by the other party, and this led to the argument, which was seen in the viral video.
The statement reads:
It has come to our attention that a video is being circulated on social media platforms with the caption suggesting that a family is being prevented from building a house on their own land. We wish to clarify the actual situation to avoid any misunderstanding and misinformation. The incident in the video is being blown out of proportion. The issue is not about a family being barred from constructing their house on their private property. Instead, the situation arose from a minor dispute between two neighbors over the use of approximately 3 Marlas of state land. This portion of land was being used for private parking by the parties involved. The conflict emerged when one party attempted to erect a boundary wall on this state land, which the other party objected to, leading to a heated exchange. Upon being informed, the civil and police administration promptly reached the spot, mediated between the parties, and resolved the matter amicably on the spot. We urge the public to verify information before sharing it on social media to prevent the spread of inaccurate narratives that can lead to unnecessary concern.
Clarification From District Administration Anantnag-
— Sudarshan News (@SudarshanNewsTV) June 7, 2024
*Clarification on Recent Video Circulation Regarding Construction Dispute*
It has come to our attention that a video is being circulated on social media platforms with the caption suggesting that a family is being prevented…
Claims of land dispute on social media
Many social media posts have used the name Sunil Wali instead of Sanjay Wali and claimed to settle the issue. Ravinder Pandita of an organization named “Sharda Committee” working in the valley has given an update on the matter and informed, “We the Verinag Committee promptly intervened in the matter and talked to the district administration about the conflict that happened with the Pandit family at Verinag. The administration assured us there was nothing to worry about, and the culprits involved had been booked under the law.”
He further alleged that Sanjay/Sunil Wali’s family had cleared up the issue with the attackers and both parties have come to an understanding to prevent future conflict. However, the administration has not offered any statement on the instance.
A sad incident happened at Verinag south Kashmir today as Sunil wali & family were engaged in a scuffle by Muslim neighbours. Matter resolved now on intervention of Verinag committee & parties.
— Ravinder Pandita(Save Sharda) (@panditaAPMCC63) June 6, 2024
The progress report –
*Verinag incident:*
*We the Verinag Committee promptly… pic.twitter.com/u4BYhQFKPA
On 4th June, Mian Altaf Ahmed became victorious in the Anantnag area where Sanjay Wali’s family was targeted. He is a National Conference candidate who triumphed over Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti.
It is important to remember that Kashmiri Pandits were massacred in the Kashmir Valley in 1990 when Pakistan-backed terrorism was at its peak in the region. They were driven out of their houses and lands. Their properties were occupied. The jihadi slogan “Raliv, Tsaliv ya Galiv” (convert, flee or die) echoed in every nook and corner of Kashmir. A large number of Kashmiri Pandits were killed and their women were raped by Islamists as the helpless Hindus were forced to flee Kashmir. Kashmiri Pandits since then have been forced to relocate to different parts of India and the world.
Note: This report has been updated with the clarification from the administration
