SRINAGAR: A suspicious blaze destroyed four residential buildings and a granary owned by the Kashmiri Pandit community in the Mattan region of Anantnag district, South Kashmir. Officials reported that the fire broke out late Sunday night, around 2:30 a.m., affecting multi-storey heritage homes in Razdan Mohalla.
The affected properties belong to Anand Ji Razdan, Shadi Lal Razdan, and Sham Lal Patwari. The families, whose houses were vacant, have demanded a thorough investigation, asserting that natural causes like short circuits are improbable.
DIG South Kashmir, Javed Iqbal, told The New Indian that a case has been filed at the Mattan police station and that a senior officer is overseeing the inquiry. He mentioned that efforts are being made to determine the fire’s origin with the assistance of forensic science laboratories (FSL) and CCTV footage. The DIG assured that a comprehensive and swift investigation is underway to uncover the facts and take appropriate action.
ALSO READ: Dagger, rifle recovered from eliminated Pakistani-terrorist in Kupwara – THE NEW INDIAN
There has been a rise in fire incidents in the Kashmir valley. In recent months, religious institutions, mosques, and Khanqahs have suffered damage due to fires.
Several Kashmiri Pandit organizations have voiced deep concern over the mysterious fire that destroyed four Kashmiri Pandit homes and a granary in Mattan town of Anantnag district late last night. Former MLC and BJP spokesperson Girdhari Lal Raina described the destruction of these historic houses as heartbreaking. He demanded a thorough investigation into this tragic incident.
Raina emphasized that the probe is essential not only because the properties belong to the minority KP community but also to identify and bring to justice those responsible. He warned that this was not a typical fire, suggesting it might be a deliberate attempt to discourage the displaced community from returning to their homeland.
The ex-MLC recalled that media reports over the years have indicated that several Kashmiri Pandit families in the area had either returned or were planning to return. The houses, which had been in disrepair for years, were finally being renovated and reconstructed. This prospect of return, he said, evidently angered forces opposed to peaceful coexistence. Raina asserted that this fire is perceived as a strong message to the displaced community against returning to their roots.
ALSO READ: J&K Police release sketches of terrorists, announce ₹ 5 lakh reward – THE NEW INDIAN
Sensing foul play, the Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) has demanded a high-level investigation into the incident, noting that the five houses in Razdan Mohalla Mattan, were heritage buildings over a century old. These structures were well-built, with one being four stories high. The KPC stated that these buildings were historically significant, drawing visitors interested in their architecture.
One house owner had recently begun renovating his property, and just as the work was about to commence, the entire complex was mysteriously reduced to ashes. This raises suspicions of foul play, and the KPC urged the government to conduct a thorough investigation through a high-level committee. Given that the complex remained intact during 34 years of unrest and caught fire only after the situation had improved in the Valley, the incident warrants a detailed probe.
The KPC also called for adequate compensation for the owners of the affected houses, stating that the incident has severely shaken the community’s confidence, making the prospect of returning to their homeland seem increasingly unlikely under the current circumstances.
Former Sarpanch Rakesh Kumar and socio-political activist Ashok Dhar also expressed their concern over the fire and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the matter.