Pandits’ ultimatum to J&K Govt

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Pandits' ultimatum to J&K Govt

 

DH News Service SRINAGAR, April 30

 

Kashmiri pandits have raised a banner of revolt against the State

government and issued an ultimatum that if their demands are not met,

they would migrate from Kashmir valley.

 

The ultimatum was issued one month after the Nadimarg carnage in

which 24 innocent pandits were gunned down by the ultras. Kashmiri

pandits who continue to reside in the Valley have convened an

extraordinary meeting next week to discuss the future strategy of the

community.

 

Hindu Welfare Society, an apex organisation of Kashmiri pandits that

have not migrated from the Valley, have taken a belligerent view and

are adamant over their demands that have been submitted to the

People's Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government in the State.

 

"We have convened a meeting of our office bearers to discuss the

future course of action. Though specific dates have not been

finalised, the meeting will be held next week. The need for this

extraordinary meeting was felt after representatives of pandits from

Ganderbal, Mattan and other places met us and stressed the need for

early decision with regard to our future course of action," said

Chuni Lal Bhat, counselor and spokesman of Hindu Welfare Society.

 

The pandits have put forward three demands to the government --

economic rehabilitation, solution to unemployment and migrant status

to the pandits living in Kashmir. Besides, they have demanded that

pandits living in far flung areas should be shifted from the

vulnerable places and lodged in clusters in relatively safe places so

that they are not targeted. "These demands are key to holding us back

from migration," said Bhat.

 

Around 700 families comprising more than 9,000 people are currently

staying in Kashmir valley. Of the total 9,000 pandits, around 2,500

people are staying in the twin districts of Anantnag and Pulwama in

south Kashmir.

 

Nearly 2.5 lakh pandits have migrated to different parts of the

country since March 1990. According to estimates, there are over

27,282 migrant families at Jammu besides 22,081 families staying in

12 states. Of them, around 19,338 live in Delhi alone. Officials put

the number of pandits living in Jammu at 55,103.

 

Kashmiri pandits are also trying to meet Chief Minister Mufti

Mohommad Sayeed to discuss the issue