Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 28: Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) today warned to launch series of protests in two capital cities of the State against the forces who have become a threat perception on the resettlement of Pandits in their motherland Kashmir.
“It is quite unfortunate that a microscopic , peace loving and nationalist community of Kashmiri Pandits is now living in exile for last 27 years and they are still in search of their homes and hearths which belonged to them”, YAIKS president told reporters along with other representatives of his organization here today.
Bhat wanted to know why the Pandits are being neglected. “Is there no place for them in the country?, Upto how long this situation will exist as successive Governments failed to resettle us in our motherland as their all promises in this regard proved totally hollow”.
He said the displaced Pandits are facing a great travesty and it is shameful on the part of the Indian democracy, leadership and secularism that we are living as refugees in our own country for last 27 years and no successive Government mustered courage and guts in restoring our motherland to us, he added.
He said the Government of India has announced many welfare and developmental schemes for the people but it is quite unfortunate that there is no mention of exiled Pandits in any scheme.
Bhat said there is no political will on the part of Government of India to resettle the Pandits in Valley and the GoI has failed to protect the fundamental rights of this minority community. The GoI has many times sent feelers about the rehabilitation package for Pandits in Valley but it was never sincere in giving practical shape to the same, he added.
He also demanded a probe on utilization of funds meant for the rehabilitation of Pandits over these years. “The ration cards given to us are temporary and how long the community will remain in wilderness and it is a shame for the Indian democracy,” he added.
Criticizing the PM’s return and rehabilitation policy he termed it only eyewash saying out of 6000 posts announced in 2008 only 1800 youth were recruited till date while 4200 posts are still unfilled which is a mockery and cruel joke with this community. He accused the successive Union Governments of befooling the KPs as they failed to take a concrete step on their rehabilitation.
Bhat said that Government has not even rehabilitated these 1800 youth who volunteered themselves to serve in Valley. “If GoI is serious on our return why does not it announce smart cities for Pandits in Kashmir”, he asked? He said before return Government should sanction one time compensation of Rs 25 lakh in favour of over aged youth, implement the job package and judgment of the Division Bench of High Court in favour of 221 candidates and grant IDP status to KPs.
B K Bhat vice president YAIKS, Manoj Handoo its general secretary, Sanjay Ganjoo, and Ajay Safaya its secretaries were present in press conference.
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