Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 29: The fast unto-death by Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) members continued for the 10th day on Tuesday, demanding written assurance by the administration that non-migrants are eligible for recruitment under Prime Ministers package.
Administrative Council (AC) last week approved that both Kashmiri migrants and non-migrants are eligible for recruitment under Prime Ministers package.
“Yesterday late in the evening, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Srinagar, met and asked to end our fast and discuss the issue with the administration,” KPSS member Sandeep Koul said.
But, till the time written assurance is given to them, they will not end their protest as the administration has been holding talks from last several years without any result, he said.
When asked what is the issue when the Administrative Council has approved it, he said ‘we want a written assurance from the government’.
“We have heard about these approvals in the past also but until we get in writing our fast will not end,” he said, adding this is a question of our 500 educated youths who are unemployed.
He said two members from the office of Deputy Commissioner (DC), Srinagar had met the KPSS president Sanjay Kumar Tickoo, on September 21 at Ganesh Mandir Ganpatyar Habba Kadal in the old city, where he is on fast.
“We informed the team about alleged sabotage by Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R) Department for the past two years despite orders by High Court, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the appointment of 500 unemployed youth of the community,” he said.
He said 800 left out non-migrant Kashmiri pandit families living in different parts of the valley were being 'punished' by the DMRR&R. “Since abrogation of Article 370, we the non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits living in Kashmir Valley are facing harassment and isolation at the hands of Relief Department,” he alleged.
He said despite multiple directions from High Court and recommendations from the Central Government through the MHA, Relief Department refused to implement them. He said 808 families stayed in Kashmir when majority members of the community left Kashmir Valley in early 90s.
Mr Tickoo said there are 500 educated unemployed youth and 69 have already crossed the age limit and become over age. |
