STATE TIMES NEWS
JAGTI: In a late-night protest, Kashmiri Pandits at Jagti township blocked the National Highway, bringing vehicular movement to a complete halt and triggering massive traffic jams that lasted for hours. The agitation, which continued into the night, highlighted the community’s deep-rooted anger over what they described as 36 years of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
As soon as the highway was blocked, senior police officials and security personnel rushed to the spot. Authorities attempted to pacify the protesters and urged them to clear the road, citing inconvenience to the public and emergency services. However, the demonstrators remained firm, refusing to withdraw until their core demands were addressed.
The protesters demanded that the Union Home Minister personally visit Jagti and listen to their grievances. Their key demands included dignified rehabilitation, the establishment of a Kashmiri Pandit homeland, and the formulation of a clear, timebound policy to ensure their safe and permanent return. Protesters said repeated assurances by successive governments had failed to translate into action, leaving the community feeling abandoned.
Raising slogans, protesters accused authorities of ignoring their suffering for over three decades. “We have been waiting for justice for 36 years. We are tired of false promises,” several protesters said, expressing frustration and emotional distress. The late-night blockade led to long queues of stranded vehicles on both sides of the highway, causing severe inconvenience to travelers.
Till the last reports, the National Highway remained blocked, and discussions between the protesters and administration were ongoing, with no immediate breakthrough reported. The protest underscores the growing anger within the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, which has repeatedly warned that continued neglect could lead to intensified agitation in the coming days.