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Establish strategic settlements for Kashmiri Hindus, says Roychowdhury | Real life problem | | Neha JAMMU, Sept 16: During his visit to Jammu & Kashmir to assess the magnitude of destruction caused by incessant rains and flash floods, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to identify and earmark areas within the Kashmir valley for resettlement of the internally-displaced Kashmiri Hindus. This suggestion was considered by many an important necessity that needed to be implemented at the earliest. It also got the support from former Chief of Army Staff Gen Shankar Roychowdhury, who after his superannuation has been expressing and penning down his views on issues of great national import. Commending the suggestion of Rajnath Singh, Gen Roychowdhury said "Kashmiri Pandits were driven from their homes under threat from separatist militants, covertly encouraged by a crypto-communal administration and a pathological anti-India feeling that has always pervaded the Valley" and added that the suggestion must be given an effect to at the earliest, as it was a "vital necessity". "Identify and set aside secure enclaves within the Valley for resettlement of the minority Kashmiri Pandit population (as it) is a vital necessity," he said. It requires "early" implementation, he emphasized. Former Army Chief virtually also questioned in his own typical style those who had been hailing the so-called Kashmiriyat as liberal, accommodating, all-embracing and tolerant and gave the public to understand that the exodus of the miniscule minority of Kashmiri Hindus simple proved that Kahmiriyat was a flawed concept. "Kashmiriyat and the long-standing bonds of brotherhood and kinship between the Kashmiri Muslim communities in the Valley and those whom they regard as their 'Hindu brethren' have been long exposed as superficial, insincere and false," he without mincing words said. Regarding the issue of resettlement of the displaced Kashmiri Hindus, Gen Roychowdhuary said that it is not an academic exercise, but it is a national requirement. "The problem of resettlement of Kashmiri Pandits within the Valley is not a mere academic exercise, but a real-life problem in community security which is of vital relevance to the country's national security, and one which has to be resolved within a finite time-frame. At the core of the entire 'Right to Return' process has to be the safety and security of those returning. This will require a makeover on the part of both the parties primarily involved Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs who are eager to return, and Kashmiri Muslims who must genuinely welcome them back. Unfortunately, the Kashmiriyat of fables now lies visibly in such tatters that a makeover, though highly desirable, is also highly unlikely. Consequently, the Centre and state governments must consider establishment of 'strategic settlements' in pre-selected areas for returning Kashmiri Pandits, under the protection of Central forces if necessary". "None is more important or emotive or simmering unnoticed on the backburner for longer than the 'Right to Return' of the Kashmiri Pandit community to their homes and homeland" was the major refrain of his whole argument. His suggestion that "strategic settlements" needed to be established within the Valley in "pre-selected areas…under the protection of Central forces if necessary" is worthy of consideration. The suggestion, when implemented taking into consideration all the concerns of the concerned community as well as the internally-displaced Kashmiri Sikhs, would help the nation defeat negative forces in the Valley. |
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