Srinagar: Street protests continued for a third day on Saturday against the killing by militants of a Kashmiri Pandit, Rahul Bhat, who was shot dead on Thursday. On Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too staged a protest in Srinagar against the killings of Bhat as well as policeman Riyaz Ahmed. The protesters shouted anti-Pakistan slogans and appealed Prime Minister Nardendra Modi to “teach another lesson” to Islamabad amid a series of targeted killings. “Since Kashmir is witnessing a bumper tourism, Pakistan and the terrorists are worried over the prevailing peace. And now Pakistan-backed terrorists kill innocent people like Rahul and Riyaz to keep themselves alive,” BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur, said. “We request the PM to teach Pakistan a lesson.” On May 12, Bhat was shot dead in his office premises in Budgam, sparking protests which are continuing. A day later, a constable was shot dead in Pulwama. A group of Pandits staged a sit-in in Srinagar against Bhat’s killing. The protesters shouted anti-government slogans. At Sheikhpora in Budgam, the police did not allow Kashmiri Pandits to protest. A large contingent of police and CRPF has been deployed at Sheikhpora which witnessed clashes on Thursday. UNI MJR MR
