Assembly passes resolution on dignified return of KPs to Valley

Jammu, Jan 19: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today unanimously passed the resolution on return of displaced Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley with dignity. As soon as the House met for the day, Leader of Opposition Omar Abdullah raised the issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits in the Kashmir Valley.

Mr Abdullah said that 27 years have passed since the migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and an atmosphere should be created for their return with dignity. The NC MLA and former chief minister appealed to Speaker's chair that ''rising above from politics, all of us should discuss and bring resolution in the House on return of KPs.'' He said that some Sikh and Muslim families also migrated from the Valley and they should also return to their native place. Minister for Road and Buildings and Parliamentary Affairs Abdul Rehman Veeri welcomed the suggestion and agreed to it.

After Question Hour, the House unanimously passed the resolution but Independent MLA Engineer Rashid raised objections to it. Except Mr Rashid, the entire House passed the resolution, which led to exchange of heated words between BJP MLAs Sat Sharma, Ravinder Raina and Engineer Rashid. Some of the Kashmiri Pandit organisations also observe January 19 as Holocaust Day--the day of exodus from the Kashmir Valley in late 90s.
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