Bengaluru: January 19, 2020 marks the 30th year of the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus. 

As many of them dream to get back to their homeland, we take a look at what transpired three decades ago, pushing these helpless souls into an abyss of terror. 

It was the turn of the decade (1989-1990). The JKLF and the Islamic insurgents attacked the Hindus of the Kashmir Valley. As the attacks happened, Hindus had to flee the then state.  

Also Read: Pandits of Kashmir pledge to return home

As per available statistics, approximately 300,000 to 600,000 Hindus lived in the Kashmir Valley in 1990. And as of 2016, only 3,000 remain. 

62,000 registered as Kashmiri refugees. 

Data from the Indian government reveal that as many as 62000 families have registered themselves as refugees from Kashmir. These families also have Sikhs and Muslims among them. The data add that most families were resettled in Jammu, National Capital Region surrounding Delhi and other neighbouring states. 

The attacks: 

14 September 1989: A lawyer and BJP member Pandit Tika Lal Taploo murdered by JKLF at his home in Srinagar. 

A little later, Nilkanth Ganjoo, a judge of Srinagar High court who had sentenced Maqbul Bhat to death, shot dead.

December 1989: JKLF kidnaps Dr Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of the then Union Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed demanding release of five militants. The demand was met.  

4 January 1990: Srinagar-based newspaper Aftab releases a message, threatening all Hindus to leave Kashmir immediately, sourcing it to the militant organization Hizbul Mujahideen.

14 April 1990: Another Srinagar-based newspaper named Al-safa republishes the same warning.

Apart from all these, there were reports that messages were posted on walls asking people to follow Islamic rules (dress code, prohibition on alcohol and cinemas). They were also forced to change their time to Pakistan Standard Time. 

A few properties were painted green as a sign of Islamic rule. Shops, factories and temples were set fire to. A rabid call was also given to purge Kashmir of hits Kashmiri pundits.