Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 10: Youth All India Kashmiri Samar (YAIKS) today demanded that the PM package and other KP employees who are on protest at Jammu for over last one month be treated at par with other migrant employees as the conditions for their return to Valley are not conducive at present.
Talking to reporters here, today, president YAIKS, R K Bhatt warned that in case the government’s callous approach towards these hapless employees does not end and their demands are not solved within two weeks, the ongoing agitation will be intensified and the YAIKS will be forced to take some extreme steps.
He made it clear that these employees can’t work in Valley unless and until the comprehensive return and rehabilitation module for entire Pandits community leading an exiled life for last 27 years is not made.
He warned that YAIKS will not allow the government to make these employees a scapegoat for its failure of rehabilitating the exiled Pandits in Valley.
Bhatt said YAIKS which is spearheading the employment issue of the community has always welcomed the initiative of the Government to rehabilitate KPs in Valley. When the rehabilitation of Pandits in Kashmir was given a push in 2008 by the then Prime Minster, Dr Minoan Singh after announcing a comprehensive package of 6000 jobs and sanctioning Rs 16.18 crore with proper accommodation as well as safety and security, it was only YAIKS at that time which welcomed the move and took a blind initiative in 2010 by sending the first batch of 2000 Pandit youth to Valley under the said scheme for the overall national interest and to contribute in strengthening Kashmiriyat and secular fabric despite facing opposition from all quarters. But we were cheated at that time on the name of rehabilitation while no sincere efforts were made for the same by the government, he added.
Bhat said YAIKS visionary document on survival of community youth was time to time submitted before the successive governments which included separate accommodation to all employees who are willing to serve in Kashmir Valley under package or without package, three consolidated places be established to accommodate these employees i.e Vessu, Mattan and Sheikhpora. It was also suggested that Kupwara and Baramulla be merged with Sheikhpora and Haal camp be merged with Vessu, schools and hospitals be established at every camp besides the security forces camp be established near every transit camp for the safety and security of the families there.
Bhat said that “we were given assurances in this regard but nothing concrete was done in this regard till date”. Turning a blind eye to the same puts a question mark on the intensions of the government, he added.
Describing PM’s return and rehabilitation package an eye wash, he alleged that the displaced Pandits have been denied justice over the years by the government.
YAIKS representatives B K Bhat, Manoj Handoo, Ajay Safaya, Sanjay Ganjoo, Sunil Koul, Sonia Bhat, Rakesh Koul and Preeti Koul were present in the press conference.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
