Author: DH News Service
Publication: Deccan Herald
Date: April 30, 2003
Kashmiri pandits have raised a banner
of revolt against the State government and issued an ultimatum that if
their demands are not met, they would migrate from Kashmir valley.
The ultimatum was issued one month
after the Nadimarg carnage in which 24 innocent pandits were gunned down
by the ultras. Kashmiri pandits who continue to reside in the Valley have
convened an extraordinary meeting next week to discuss the future strategy
of the community.
Hindu Welfare Society, an apex organisation
of Kashmiri pandits that have not migrated from the Valley, have taken
a belligerent view and are adamant over their demands that have been submitted
to the People's Democratic Party (PDP)-led coalition government in the
State.
"We have convened a meeting of our
office bearers to discuss the future course of action. Though specific
dates have not been finalised, the meeting will be held next week. The
need for this extraordinary meeting was felt after representatives of pandits
from Ganderbal, Mattan and other places met us and stressed the need for
early decision with regard to our future course of action," said Chuni
Lal Bhat, counselor and spokesman of Hindu Welfare Society.
The pandits have put forward three
demands to the government --economic rehabilitation, solution to unemployment
and migrant status to the pandits living in Kashmir. Besides, they have
demanded that pandits living in far flung areas should be shifted from
the vulnerable places and lodged in clusters in relatively safe places
so that they are not targeted. "These demands are key to holding us back
from migration," said Bhat.
Around 700 families comprising more
than 9,000 people are currently staying in Kashmir valley. Of the total
9,000 pandits, around 2,500 people are staying in the twin districts of
Anantnag and Pulwama in south Kashmir.
Nearly 2.5 lakh pandits have migrated
to different parts of the country since March 1990. According to estimates,
there are over 27,282 migrant families at Jammu besides 22,081 families
staying in 12 states. Of them, around 19,338 live in Delhi alone. Officials
put the number of pandits living in Jammu at 55,103.
Kashmiri pandits are also trying
to meet Chief Minister Mufti Mohommad Sayeed to discuss the issue.
