Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 4: The All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC), under the leadership of Moti Lal Malla, convened a meeting today to deliberate in detail upon the pressing issues confronting the Kashmiri Pandit community living in exile for over three and a half decades.
During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on the implications of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and its proposed implementation among the migrant community. The members unanimously expressed deep concern and anguish over what they termed as an unjustified and insensitive move by the authorities.
It categorically stated that the implementation of NFSA is a deliberate attempt to categorize and fragment the victims of genocide, thereby undermining their unique and distinct status as a displaced community. The organization emphasized that the Kashmiri Pandits were forced into exile due to extraordinary circumstances and cannot be equated with any other category under routine welfare schemes.
ASKPC further observed that the move appears to be an effort to impose a flawed and ill-conceived policy on a community that has already suffered immense hardship, displacement, and loss for more than 36 years. Such measures, the organization noted, not only disregard the ground realities but also hurt the sentiments of the community.
The Conference strongly asserted that it will resist any attempt that seeks to dilute the migrant character and legal status of the KPs. It expressed serious apprehension that the implementation of NFSA may adversely affect the existing relief structure, including monthly cash assistance and ration entitlements, which have been the primary means of sustenance for thousands of displaced families.
ASKPC urged the Government to immediately halt the implementation of NFSA in its present form and engage in meaningful dialogue with representatives of the community before taking any such decisions.
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