Separatists no one to decide our fate: Pandit BJP has sold itself to stay in power in State, blames Jagti residents

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Terming the ‘homeland’ issue floated by the BJP-PDP coalition as one-sided decision, the members of Kashmiri Pandit community settled in Jagti tenements said both State and Union governments have not taken the community in confidence while deciding about their settlement in Kashmir Valley. They said this while interacting with the renowned film maker Ashoke Pandit, who called on them on Tuesday.
The Kashmiri migrant community was critical of the policies adopted by the PDP-BJP government in the State and BJP government in the centre.
The Jagti residents said no one from the BJP has ever come to see their condition. “We are being treated as if we are burden on the government,” residents told to Pandit.
The Jagti residents said that the BJP has sold itself to stay in power as coalition partner in the state. Till date no pre-poll promises have been met.
They said atrocities have been committed on the members of the community by the majority community members in the Valley but till date not a single person has been convicted and sentenced for the atrocities committed. The members were unison in demanding that both State and Union Governments should take them in confidence before deciding their return to Valley and their consent should be taken before allocating the place for resettlement.
“Not only this the elements supported by separatists plundered and damaged more than 700 religious places which were revered by the community in Kashmir Valley,” they added.
They further said, “Whatever decision the Centre or the state government takes, they must talk to the Kashmiri Pandits first. No separatist should be allowed to intervene in matters relating to Kashmiri Pandits.” Who is Yasin Malik, Geelani or Mehabooba Mufti to decide where we live, said Pandit, adding,” its our decision where to live in Valley.
“In Jammu, most of the outskirt areas like Bathindi and Sunjwan have been encroached by a selective community from Kashmir why we cannot stay at separate homeland in Srinagar, Pandit lamented. He also called for setting up of a commission of inquiry to pin-point responsibility on perpetrators of “genocide” against them.
Disapproving of comments made earlier by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that only 10 to 15 per cent Kashmiri Pandits will choose to return to the Valley as most are well placed in various parts of the country, Pandit said that every member of the community wants to return to their homeland.
Ashoke Pandit, said the Centre believing the words of Sayeed was “the biggest problem”.
“When I see all the terrorists on the streets of Kashmir, then what is the difference between the previous and this central government. The biggest problem is that the Central government is trusting the Chief Minister… who says he is thankful to Pakistan after peaceful elections,” Pandit said.
Pandit demanded that Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Yasin Malik and other separatists be arrested. “Why Yasin Malik is roaming free, it is very strange,” questioned Pandit, while addressing Jagti residents, adding that “We want to go to our homeland but on our terms and authorities must ensure social and political security and economical empowerment of those who return.”