Early Times Report
Jammu, July 22: Citizens' Forum Jammu has sought that before finalizing any plans for the return of Kashmiri Pundits to the Valley, it is required that authorities should ascertain the real aspirations of the KPs who now for long have been living away from their homes and hearths. The demand was raised by the forum through a statement given to the press, here today quoting Citizens' Forum president RK Chadha.
Asking the governor Satya Pal Malik besides the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to find out the aspirations of the KPs on their return to the Valley, Chadha said, "As far as KPs living in Jammu are concerned, they are our dear friends and Jammu has adopted and adjusted with them. Love and affection bond the KPs, who came here as migrants, with the locals. In my opinion we the Jammuites have no problem their getting settled here permanently.
He further said, "We have noticed some fringe elements have been hobnobbing with Hurriyat people and leaders of NC, PDP and BJP to demand the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pundits in Kashmir Valley without giving a concrete plan of their security. In the name of giving an impression to the international community that we are ready to adjust Pundits with us in Kashmir, is a great deception. Those who are willing should go back but first the authorities must properly ascertain that among the all of them who and how many want to go back to the Valley."
Chadha further said, "The voices over return of KPs are not out of the love for them but for the approximate fund of Rs. 30000 crores which are to be spent on the rehabilitation program in Kashmir valley. We have gone through this drama in 2002 when Late Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, when he was Chief Minister, was offered a fund of Rs.10000 crores by Former Prime Minister Late Atal Bihari Bajpai for settlement of Kashmiri Pundits and Late Brig, Gen. Dhar and I was asked to prepare Pundits to come to Kashmir. No one had agreed then but the government had started spending funds in Kashmir for constructing flats for them."
"And now, we request the Governor sahib to first prepare a complete list of Kashmiri Pundit families who want to go to Kashmir valley so that they do not get double benefits at both the places. For those who wish to remain here in Jammu, make arrangements of a satellite township at Patintop and Bhadarwah area for Village tourism to live and earn by receiving tourists in their planned houses."
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi while in Samba during elections has promised to create village tourism in Jammu areas. Let his promise be fulfilled in this way, which will give a decent living and secured future to Kashmiri Pundits. Plus this will also promote infrastructure for Jammu Tourism," Chadha added.
The forum president was joined, as signatories to the statement, by other members including Add. DGP {retd.} S S Wazir, Former PSC Member Dr. R Madan, PROF.Aman Rathore former PSC member, Arun Gupta Chairman MIER,( Educationist), Arun Sharma Retd. Chief Engineer, R K Handa Retd. Vice Chairman JDA, S K Gupta Retd. Chief Eng, M S Kapoor Retd. Engineer, Anil Sethi Advocate High court, Anuj Dewan Advocate, Ashok Parihar Advocate High Court, Veena Handa Educationist, Sarita Oswal Industrialist, Sunny Dua Journilist,. K K Khosa president KP Sabha and Jit Pal Sahni Businessman. |
