Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: Kashmiri Pandit (KP) Sabha projected various demands of the displaced community in a press conference held, here today.
Addressing the press conference, KP Sabha president KK Khosa asked the Government to expedite the process of early return and rehabilitation of the displaced community. “Any further delay in ensuring return & rehabilitation in the Valley will prove detrimental to the interest of distinct cultural identity of Kashmiri Pandits which needs to be preserved at all cost,” he added.
Khosa appealed that the settlements for the KPs be set-up in the three erstwhile district headquarters of the Kashmir valley, namely Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag, with all kinds of basic amenities (hospitals, primary/secondary schools, shopping mall, etc.) and fool-proof security to infuse sense of safety. He urged for immediate repair of buildings of Jagti Township and other transit camps which have deteriorated with passage of time.
He demanded the Government to launch yet another special recruitment drive for the community so that more deserving youths are gainfully employed. He also appealed to mercifully consider engagement of over-aged youths to suitable employment. He sought compensation for community members who got displaced from the Valley leaving behind their agriculture/horticulture land.
Other demands projected by the Sabha include enhancement of cash relief to the migrants, release of balance amount of compensation to those KPs whose houses were torched after the exodus in 1990, taking immediate action to protect the immovable property of KPs as the same were sale in an illegal manner misusing the J&K Migrant Immovable Property (Stay of proceedings) Act 1997.
The appeal was also made to the Government to make provision for election of its members to Legislative Assembly. “Election of 3 members from the community should be ensured, one each from the erstwhile three districts namely Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag,” Khosa said and further urged the Government to nominate a community member to the Parliament.