 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 21: Panun Kashmir on Friday announced a day-long hunger strike on September 5 to press for its long-pending demands, including a separate homeland with Union Territory status for displaced Kashmiri Pandits.
Addressing a meeting of community members at Swami Ram Shaiv Ashram (Trika), Naseeb Nagar,Janipur, Panun Kashmir Convener Dr. Agnishekhar said the hunger strike will be observed by 108 PK volunteers at Jammu Press Club on September 5 to highlight the continued neglect of the community even after 36 years of displacement.
"Our people are still living as refugees in their own country. Assurances have been made but no concrete roadmap for dignified return and rehabilitation has been provided," Dr. Agnishekhar said.
He said the time has come to fight for restoration of the community's lost identity. "We have been organizing programmes in a strategic manner to press the Government of India to take up, once and for all, the issue of the exiled Kashmiri Pandit community as much water has already flown down the Jhelum," he added.
Panun Kashmir has appealed to all displaced families, social organizations and civil society members to join the hunger strike in large numbers to make it a grand success.
The organization demanded time-bound implementation of a political settlement, job security for migrant employees, and immediate relief measures for camp residents facing water, power and ration shortages.
Those who spoke on the occasion include PL Koul Badgami, Prof. Titoo Jee, BL Koul, Sanjay Raina, and others. |
