Assembly passes resolution on return of Kashmiri Pandits
TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/20/2017 12:06:34 AM
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EXODUS DAY
BIVEK MATHUR
JAMMU: State Legislative Assembly Thursday unanimously passed a resolution for the peaceful return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir Valley.
As the house assembled for the question hour in the morning, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved a resolution to create an atmosphere so that the migrant Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) be brought back to their homes in Kashmir Valley. Incidentally, January 19 happens to be day of mass exodus of Pandits from the Valley back in 1990. Some Kashmiri Pandit organisations have been observing this ‘holocaust day’.
Omar said that the KP community members are living in exile for the last over 27 years and “It is the right time that every party, cutting across the political lines and ideology” should rise and support their peaceful return to Kashmir Valley.
The former Chief Minister regretted that around 27 years ago, certain unfortunate conditions led to the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits, Sikhs and some Muslims from the Kashmir Valley.
“I feel sad that they have to leave their houses and live in other parts of the state or country. But it is the right time we should rise above the politics and bring a resolution in the assembly for their return to their homes,” he said.
Meanwhile, independent legislator, Engineer Rashid disrupted Omar Abdullah’s speech and said that government should also speak about those migrants who were forced to migrate to other side of LOC in Keran, Karnah, Uri, Poonch, Gurez and other parts by the alleged “atrocities of security forces.”
He said that Omar Abdullah is forgetting about the fate of resolution passed for the restoration of autonomy.
“Just passing resolution does not make any sense. Government should show sincerely to sort out the basic issues,” he said.
However, on the request of Omar Abdullah, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Abdul Rehman Veeri gave his approval to bring a resolution in the house for the return of KPs.
After the question hour came to an end, the resolution was passed by the Speaker on the unanimous vote of the legislators in favour of Kashmiri Pandits’ return.