STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday ruled out exclusive colonies for Kashmiri migrant Pandits but said it would consider any alternative plan, even from separatist groups, to rehabilitate the minority community in the Valley.
“The proposal is to make land available where everyone can live. There is no question of an exclusive colony. That is out,” Government Spokesman and Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar said here.
“Everyone, whether separatists or mainstream, is saying that Pandits must return and that they are welcome. PDP, NC, Congress and BJP all are saying that they are a part of our society.
“But, when they are returning after 25-30 years, where will they live? They are coming back in an entirely changed scenario.
Akhtar said there has to be a “foothold where anyone can live whether a Pandit or a Kashmiri who belongs this place or even any Kashmiri from outside.”
“Every state subject, perhaps even Dogras of Jammu would like to live here,” he said.
The Minister said if the separatist groups have any alternative to the proposal, the government would consider that.
Meanwhile, National Conference senior leader and political advisor to Working president Omar Abdullah Tanveer Sadiq said that the party will not allow separate colonies for Kashmiri Pandits.
“NC has made it clear, be in government or in opposition, that it wants dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits. But the party will not allow separate colonies for them. If you want temporary accommodation for migrants, then build them for all the migrants, Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs who migrated from here. But you cannot raise separate colonies for a single community,” Tanveer Sadiq told a Srinagar based news agency.
“And if the aim is for a separate camp within four walls, then how is it dignified return to home. It is like cantonment not integration, the Political advisor to Omar said.
On the Sainik colonies proposal discussed in NC government, Tanveer Sadiq said that there is huge difference in bringing the issue in agenda and then implementing it.
Tanveer said that the PDP-BJP coalition has failed to provide ‘good’ governance and instead created uncertainty among people by raking up controversial issues.
