Image: Photo | Zahoor Punabi, EPS
Dismayed with the government’s hollow assurances, the non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits (KP) of the Valley have given an ultimatum to the Centre and have threatened to sit on a fast unto death. The President of Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti, Sanjay Tickoo has sent a final communication to the government of India and government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to CJP, an organisation that has supported the cause of the non migrant KPs in the Valley, Tickoo said, “Time has come for me, as President – Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti – representatives of Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir, to go on fast unto death to fulfil the dreams of my young community members living in Kashmir Valley.”
The demands that they have put forth include jobs for 600 unemployed educated youths, monthly cash relief for 808 families living in the Valley as well as preservation, restoration and renovation of all temples, asthapans, holy springs and cremation grounds in Kashmir, as has been directed by the High Court in petitions filed by the Samiti in the past. As far as the jobs for the educated youths are concerned, the same has been recommended by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India from time to time and directions to that regard have also been issued by the High Court in several petitions.
Tickoo, said that “every mean and median is used to sabotage the process and push the non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits to the Wall so that we leave Kashmir, to implement some hatred political agenda”. He further said that the Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department was playing a spoilsport and was not ready to implement the High Court orders with respect to giving jobs to the unemployed youths.
“We feel ignored, we feel left out because nobody is listening to us,” said Tickoo.
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