SRINAGAR, June 4: Following a spurt in the targeted killings of Hindus in the Kashmir Valley, the second exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Muslim-majority area of Kashmir to the Hindu-majority area of Jammu has begun. In early 1990s they had migrated to other parts of the country due to militancy and were resettled back in the Valley after the recent reorganisation of the State.

There have been 16 targeted killings in the past month. A non-local bank manager, Vijay Kumar, at Ellaquai Dehati Bank, in Arreh area of Kulgam district, in south Kashmir, was shot dead on Thursday. The attack was carried out by a terrorist group called "Kashmir Freedom Fighters." Militants on Tuesday had shot dead Kashmiri Pandit teacher Rajni Bala, 36, at her school in the Gopalpora area of Kulgam.

The incidents sparked a wave of outrage by Hindus in the Valley. Slogans were raised against Pakistan. The Pandits demanded protection and later asked the Government to "relocate us immediately.”

The terrified families in various transit camps guarded by security personnel called off the protests and decided to leave for Jammu, said Amit Raina, coordinator of the protesting employees.

Hundreds of families in Baramulla and Anantnag have already fled.

The Kashmiri Hindus allege the administration tried the prevent the migration for several weeks and blockaded their exit. Since majority of the Pandits are Government employees posted in the region, they asked the Government for relocation.

Hindu families are leaving transit colonies in Mattan, Vessu, Sheikhpora, Baramulla and Kupwara.

The Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) has sought intervention to allow the Pandits to migrate.

Kashmiri Pandits are Kashmiri-speaking Brahmins who livied in the Kashmir Valley for generations and have their own traditions. About 2,50,000 of them had to flee the area in early 1990s due to fear when terrorists mounted their attacks.