Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 12: Accusing the successive State Governments of turning a blind eye towards the demands of Kashmiri Pandits who stayed back in Kashmir during militancy, Hindu Welfare Society Kashmir (HWSK) today impressed upon Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to fulfill his commitment of providing accommodation to the non-migrants.
Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, A K Rajpori, President HWSK, and Chuni Lal Bhat, Publicity Secretary, said that Chief Minister had in June announced a package for the Kashmiri Pandits. Both Rajpori and Bhat said that no headway has been made so far, with non-migrants, continuing to suffer.
Rajpori demanded that non-migrants should be declared as disturbed community and reservation provided to them across the country in various professional colleges as well as educational institutions. He stressed upon both the Central and State Governments to take steps on war footing so that the relief is provided to both the migrants/non-migrants at the earliest.
Bhat said that even the basic demands like providing financial assistance to 100 old aged and widows of Kashmiri Pandits along with setting up of 30 Anganwadi centres for the non-migrants have not been fulfilled by the State Government. He said in 2004 then Revenue and Relief Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen had assured that 250 non-migrant families would be given houses along with Rs. 3,000 monthly stipend.
Both Bhat and Rajpori said that majority of the Kashmiri Pandits living in the Kashmir valley are without their own houses as they were gutted during the 22 years of turmoil and turbulence. They said the nerves of the non-migrants would be settled if the problems faced by them on account of accommodation are solved.
“We have to pay huge sum on account of monthly rent and this money can be saved if accommodation is provided to us”, said Bhat and Rajpori.
Follow our WhatsApp channel