More than 35 years after the abduction and brutal killing of Kashmiri Pandit nurse Sarla Bhat, her family criticizes successive governments for failing to hold the perpetrators accountable. The family expresses disappointment over the prolonged inaction, which has extended their suffering and denied closure to the victims’ relatives.
Sarla Bhat’s cousin, P.K. Bhat, reacts to the 737-page chargesheet filed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA). He vividly recalls the tragic circumstances surrounding Sarla’s abduction, rape, and murder during the peak of militancy in the Valley. Bhat alleges that the authorities of that time did not take decisive action against the culprits.
Reflecting on the past atrocities, Bhat describes the humiliation even during Sarla’s cremation, where her ashes were desecrated. He contrasts the earlier violence in Jammu and Kashmir with the relative peace prevailing since 2019, highlighting the stark difference in governance and security situations.
Expressing frustration over the delayed justice, Bhat laments the failure of successive governments to deliver justice to the victims. He strongly condemns the accused, including Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, demanding severe punishment for their heinous acts. For the Bhat family, Sarla’s tragic story symbolizes the enduring suffering of the Kashmiri Pandit community, emphasizing the unhealed wounds even after more than three decades.
