Srinagar/Jammu As violence continues unabated in the Kashmir Valley, people from outside the state working with central government organisations, particularly the railways, banks and insurance companies, have started fleeing the area, while travellers are wary about visiting the state.
The threat perception among the non-Kashmiris, who were working in different parts of the Valley, has increased after a series of attacks on the railway stations in Sopore and Budgam. More than 100 employees of railways working in the Valley have come to Jammu as they were "scared" to stay there.
"There was stone throwing and the crowds would move menacingly. It was becoming difficult for us to survive there," said an employee of the railways working in Sopore railway station that was torched by a mob. He requested that his name should not be revealed.
These employees have sought transfers from the Valley, where they believed "nothing is safe". Sources also confirmed that employees of nationalised banks who hail from outside Jammu and Kashmir, too have shifted out. "We face a threat to our lives. There is no security for us," said an employee of a nationalised bank.
There has been no let up in violence in the Valley as five more protesters died on Tuesday taking the total death toll to 26 since Friday. Security forces have been given shoot at sight orders against people violating the curfew.
The surge in public anger has been met with more forces and two additional battalions of para-military forces are now in the Valley. The Centre is also rushing 24 battalions of para-military forces to help an increasingly strained state police force.
At the Idgah cemetery in the heart of Srinagar despite the curfew and shoot at sight orders hundreds of people came out on Tuesday afternoon. The crowds quickly swelled to thousands as they mourned 18-year-old boy Mohammad Anees who was killed in police firing at a protest on Monday.
Much of the growing anger is now aimed at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for failing to visit even the bereaved families. "He should come in front of us," said a protester. "The Government is responsible for bringing the situation under control," another protester said in Badgam.
At a village in Budgam, hours after two people were injured in firing by CRPF, young men showed the bullet shells they said they were facing everyday. "I just want to tell Omar Abdullah, if he controls the police, the violence will end," says a protester.
With the government maintaining it is the police that is reacting to attacks from the mobs, and not the other way around, it's a hazardous guess when the cycle of violence and blame gripping the Valley will end.
(With inputs from IANS)
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