KPs condemn NC, Hurriyat for opposing composite township

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 8: Various Kashmiri Pandit organizations have expressed their dismay over the opposition by National Conference and some other mainstream parties to the composite township within Valley for rehabilitation of terrorism victims leading an exiled life outside Kashmir for over last 25 years. Kundan Kashmiri president Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) while strongly reacting to the outbursts of NC leaders and separatists said though his organization stands for carving out of a separate Kashyap State within Valley and is not in favour of composite township still the statement given by NC leadership which claims to champion the cause of secularism has hurt him. He said by siding with Hurriyat and other separatist organizations it appears that NC has come into its true colours now. He said it was the NC which in alliance with Congress was in power in 1989-90 when mass exodus of Pandits took place after the then coalition failed to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to ensure security to this miniscule minority in Valley. Kashmiri also demanded that security of Hurriyat leaders be withdrawn and urged the GoI not to accord any reception to visiting Pak dignitaries in future in view of the dubious role of Pak government. Samporan Kashmiri Sangathan president, Rakesh Kaul has also taken strong exception to the statement of NC leaders and Hurriyat for opposing composite township in Valley and said that this way the two organizations are breeding communalism in the State. He said there is no harm in construction of such a township in Valley when already such colonies inhabited by Muslims exist in Hindu majority areas of the State also. Kaul said one is at a loss to understand that what message the NC leadership wants to convey by opposing a composite township in Valley. Dr Ramesh a well known social activist while condemning the NC leadership said in 1947 there was 15 percent population of KPs in Valley and the community owned 40 percent agriculture and horticulture land but later the entire land was grabbed by NC regime after enacting land to tiller law. In subsequent years since then the community was tactically denied employment, he added. He said in 1989-90 the community was forced to flee from the Valley by gun wielding militants having support within administration and Government at that time under a big conspiracy. He said Kashmir does not belong to any particular community but Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike. All Migrant Camp Coordination Committee (AMCCC) president Desh Rattan and Migrant Welfare Committee leader Jagti Pinto Ji have also condemned Hurriyat and NC role on construction of a composite township in Valley. In their separate statements they said that such a township is need of the hour and majority of Kashmiri Muslims are also in its favour. President KP Sabha K K Khosa said the reaction of most of the separatists towards the latest proposal of the govt. including that of hard core militants like Yasin Malik and his ilk is highly reprehensible and shows the deep hatred which they have for the miniscule minority of Kashmiri Pandits. Knowing well that more than 60-70 percent of the pandits have sold off their properties during the last 25 years his statement that they should return to their original places of residence is ample proof that they are against the return of the community per se otherwise they would have also stated that the new owners of these properties would have to vacate the same. He said since this cannot be a viable proposition therefore to raise their objections to other proposals of return proves that they were squarely responsible for the exodus of the community and are therefore totally against its return under any circumstances. This raises vital issues of the right of the Pandits to regain the land of their forefathers which is inalienable and any denial of this right will prove disastrous to not only the Kashmiris but to the entire nation in the long run. I make a fervent appeal to both the State and the Central Govts. to put all these traitors behind bars and assert their authority before we loose our faith in the establishment. Any weakness at this stage will further embolden these fringe elements who are the greatest violators of human rights and are confirmed anti nationals who have no right to live in this country and enjoy the fruits of its democracy," Khosa added.