Jammu: Panun Kashmir has expelled its former chairman Ajay Chrungoo with immediate effect and ordered an internal enquiry into his alleged foreign connections, including a reported interaction with US-based Pakistani figure Ghulam Nabi Fai.
According to a circular issued by the organisation, Chrungoo has been replaced by Tito Ganju, who will assume the role of chairman and oversee organisational restructuring.
The circular was released by Panun Kashmir convenor Agnishekhar after consultations with senior leaders and office bearers. The decision followed recommendations from the organisation’s general secretary Kuldeep Raina, organising secretary Behari Lal Kaul and other senior activists.
Leaders said the action was taken to protect the group’s ideological direction, organisational discipline and the larger mission linked to the aspirations of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. Concerns were reportedly raised over the functioning of the organisation after a controversial write-up associated with Fai, who has previously been described as a convicted ISI-linked operative.
The circular alleged that complaints against Chrungoo included anti-organisational activities, deviation from ideological principles and attempts to weaken the structure of the organisation. It also cited accusations of creating divisions within the group, obstructing expansion of units and attempting to form parallel organisational structures.
Additionally, references were made to statements attributed to Chrungoo that criticised the Ram temple and remarks that some activists perceived as hostile towards national interests. These comments reportedly triggered strong reactions among members of the organisation.
Questions were also raised about certain overseas engagements and interactions with individuals allegedly linked to hostile agencies. The leadership sought clarification regarding the purpose of these foreign visits, their sponsorship and whether the required permissions had been obtained from relevant authorities.
According to the circular, senior leaders met Chrungoo on March 14 last year to convey these concerns and offered him an opportunity to respond. However, he reportedly declined to provide explanations and later avoided further communication with the leadership.
With no clarification received, the organisation resolved to remove him from his position. Panun Kashmir also announced the formation of a commission of enquiry to examine the details of the alleged foreign contacts and travel sponsorship.
Under the new leadership, Ganju has been tasked with initiating a restructuring process for the organisation’s global framework. The group also plans to hold an activists’ workshop in Jammu on May 24 to discuss a revised constitutional structure and future organisational reforms.