J-K admin seeks FIR against Kashmiri Pandit leader for Facebook comment on relief commissioner

Jammu, May 07: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has written to the police, seeking the registration of an FIR against a Kashmiri displaced persons’ leader for making allegations of illegal allotment and accepting bribes against the relief commissioner in a Facebook comment.

According to an official communication issued by the Office of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants), Jammu, he was allegedly instigating people against the Special Relief Ration Scheme notified by the government and encouraging them to resort to violence and create public disorder.

The communication was addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu. Sunil Bhat, it said, made the allegations in the comment section of a video posted by Valley Express News on social media.

“It has come to the notice of this office that one Sunil Bhat has posted a derogatory comment on Facebook social media site on the video post of Valley Express News, wherein he has mentioned that Relief Commissioner has made illegal allotment of shops and received bribe for allotments.

“The comments of Sunil Bhat have tarnished the image of relief organisation in general and relief and rehabilitation commissioner in particular,” the letter said.

The communication further alleged that through his social media activity and other sources, Bhat was instigating people against the Special Relief Ration Scheme notified by the government and encouraging them to resort to violence and create public disorder.

“As such, I am directed to kindly immediately lodge an FIR against Sh. Sunil Bhat,” the letter issued by Assistant Commissioner (Relief) Kailash Devi said.

The administration maintained that the allotment of shops at Jagti migrant camp was carried out in a transparent manner on the recommendations of a committee of senior officers.

It also said that the department was open to any inquiry or investigation by any government agency into the allotment process and would cooperate fully.

On Wednesday, displaced Kashmiri Pandits protested here against the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s move to integrate their relief rations into the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Minor clashes broke out between demonstrators and police as they attempted to march towards the Relief Commissioner’s office.

Community leaders described NFSA as a “black law” and a “trap” for Kashmiri Pandits, alleging that its implementation would dilute their distinct identity as displaced persons and affect their rehabilitation rights.