Bond of Ages: Family of slain Kashmiri Pandit in Shopian leave keys with Muslim neigbour

Pooran’s family members proceed for Jammu to participate for his last rites

Shopian, Oct 15 : In a rare example of communal harmony and trust, family members of Pooran Bhat killed in Shopian on Saturday left the keys of their house with their neighbour, a Muslim woman.

Pandits present at the spot told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that they have not left the Valley because of the love and support they received from local Muslims.

“You can understand how close we are with Muslims here that Pooran’s family trusted a local Muslim lady neighbour than us by handing over keys of her house,” said an elderly Pandit.

As all family members of slain Pooran left for Jammu to take part in his last rites, his sister in law handed over the keys of all their belongings to local muslim lady Fidousa.

Firdousa, a woman hailing from Srinagar and married at Shopian’s Choudrygund told KNO she belonged to poor family and works at Pooran’s family.

“Pooran was treating me as a sister and would encourage me to give education to my children.  They trusted me by holding the keys and I will never break it,” she added.

Muslim neighbours of Pooran while condemning the killing described the slain as an honest man who despite suffering economic losses cleared their dues—(KNO)