JAMMU, SEPT 23: Senior Kashmiri Pandit leaders and social activists have urged the Government of India, Union Home Ministry, J&K Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister to address the long-pending issues of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community on humanitarian grounds.
In a joint press statement, M.K. Yogi, General Secretary of Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj, and Vinod Pandita, President of the Jammu & Kashmir Displaced Kashmiri Pandit Front, called for immediate measures to address the economic, housing, employment and rehabilitation concerns of the community, which, they said, has been living in displacement for more than 37 years.
The leaders demanded enhancement of the monthly relief assistance from ₹13,000 to ₹25,000, besides creation and advertisement of 20,000 new posts for educated unemployed displaced youth.
They also sought a concrete and time-bound return and rehabilitation policy for Kashmiri Pandits, with emphasis on a dignified and secure return to the Valley. Other demands included construction of additional quarters for migrants living on rent and effective implementation of the Migrant Property Act, 1997.
The leaders further called for fast-track repair and renovation of migrant quarters at Jagti and other migrant camps, along with improved facilities for PM Package employees, including boundary walls, security arrangements and adequate parking.
They also demanded establishment of shopping complexes and children’s parks in migrant settlements, allotment of the remaining shops at Jagti Township to deserving migrants and early disposal of pending revalidation cases.
The leaders appealed to the authorities to undertake a humanitarian review of the issues and initiate time-bound measures for their resolution.
The demands were also endorsed by social activists including Virender Ganjoo, Jyoti Dhar (Adv.), Sanjay Raina, Inderjit Raina, Dazy Dhar, Meenakshi, Bal Krishan Bhat, Shuban Ji Raina, Sahil Pandita and Sushma Dhar, among others.
