On July 31, at around 1 am, a devastating fire broke out in Lone Mohalla, Mattan, in Anantnag, completely destroying five houses belonging to Kashmiri Hindus. This incident has prompted the Jammu and Kashmir Police to form a special squad to investigate the cause of the fire.
According to reports, the fire started in an unoccupied house and quickly spread to neighbouring homes, causing extensive damage. Residents in the area promptly alerted the fire department, which arrived on the scene at 1:45 am with five fire trucks. Despite their efforts, it took several hours to contain the fire, which damaged five structures and razed one house to the ground.
Nissar Ahmed, a Fire Brigade Officer, commented on the incident: “We were informed and we came immediately. About five vehicles were deployed, and the fire was controlled in three to four hours.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a report and began an inquiry into the cause of the fire. Members of the Kashmiri Hindu community, particularly those living outside Kashmir, suspect that the fire was deliberately set to intimidate them and prevent their return to the Valley.
Three Kashmiri Hindu houses were gutted in massive fire in Mattan of Anantnag, South Kashmir on July 29th night. Police have launched an investigation. I hope perpetrators are caught if there is a foul play. Since early 1990s many Hindu houses have been gutted in fire in Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/xnY1CBzxeD
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 31, 2024
The National Conference political party has expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri Hindu community.
“We stand with our Kashmiri Hindu brothers after the tragic fire that destroyed several houses in Mattan, Anantnag. One of the affected houses holds deep emotional significance as it was the maternal home of our additional spokesperson, Umesh Tashi. We call upon the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to justice,” the party stated.
Ravindra Pandita, Chairman of Kashmir Sharada Peeth Awasthapan, also commented on the issue: “The recent fire in the properties of Kashmiri migrants in Mattan has shocked everyone. The Deputy Commissioner, who is the custodian of minority properties, has not taken proper steps to preserve them. This is clearly a case of vandalism, and we need preventive measures. The administration should ensure such acts do not happen again and compensate the owners.”
Members of the Kashmiri Hindu community have stated that they will not be intimidated. Ashok Kumar, President of All Temples and Shrines in South Kashmir, said, “We will not be frightened or scared. We have been threatened since the 1990s, but this is our Janmabhoomi, and we will remain here. We are renovating our buildings and temples, and we will not be deterred by their actions. The government must ensure the safety of Kashmiri Hindus and their property.”
The police have taken swift action, launching an investigation and gathering evidence. “There has been a report of a fire in the house of Shri Anand Ji Rajdan in the Mattan area. SHO Mattan reached the spot with a police party, and the fire brigade was called. The fire was controlled in about one and a half hours. Nearby houses were also damaged. We have registered a case under Section 326 of the BNS and collected CCTV footage for the investigation. A senior officer is supervising the investigation,” said Javed Iqbal, DIG South Kashmir Range.
Members of the Kashmiri Hindus community, both inside and outside the Valley, are calling for a comprehensive probe and requesting the government to strengthen security for unoccupied Hindus properties and temples. They believe such measures are crucial to counter the objectives of those who oppose the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Hindus.
This tragic event has once again highlighted the challenges facing the Kashmiri Hindu community and the need for coordinated efforts to ensure their safety and return to the Valley.
