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| No'Israel type' clusters for Kashmiri Pandits: Mufti | | |
Early Times Report
Jammu, April 10: Reiterating his opposition to composite townships for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed today said his government was committed to bring displaced community back but ruled out setting up "Israel-type" separate clusters for their settlement.
"We will not make separate clusters that Israel has set up. Neither we will make that (separate townships) nor they (Kashmiri Pandits) have desired to live in that," Mufti told the Legislative Council here on Friday. "During my previous tenure in 2003, we set up camps for them in Sheikhpura, and some places in Anantnag and Kupwara. They said they cannot live separately. We will bring this community back and integrate in Kashmiri society," he said.
"Kashmiri Pandits are a miniscule community. It is our programme to save the diversity of Kashmir. Our determination is clear to bring them back to Kashmir Valley with respect and dignity," he said. Mufti said a total of 7,247 Kashmiri Pandits still live in Kashmir. "Anantnag has 638 Kashmiri Pandits, Ganderbal 151, Pulwama 390 and Budgam 870. They are also not living in separate clusters," he said.
Giving examples how Kashmiri Pandit families who did not migrate from Kashmir during the period of militancy are living scattered in Valley, Mufti said, "I went to a village in Pahalgam where I saw two Pandit families living at one place and some others at a long distance away. They are spread at different places. They do not have any connectivity."
"Therefore, it is our mission that if we want to save our composite culture, it will be our utmost endeavour to bring them back to Kashmir. We will have to make conducive atmosphere for it. It will not be possible by hue and cry raised over the issue but to work to strengthen the relations," the chief minister added.
Taking a dig at those raising a hue and cry over the issue of settlement of Kashmiri Pandits, Chief Minister said, "This hue and cry. I do not know why they are making it. They (Kashmiri Pandits) cannot live separately." On the prevailing situation in the state, he said, "When we say that we have to bring out Jammu and Kashmir from an environment of uncertainty, it is a big mission. We will bring J&K out of that situation."
"I am happy that the Prime Minister of India has said it (PDP, BJP coming together) is not just an alliance but an alliance with a different objective. But a contradiction was triggered. We have to ensure that Jammu meets with Kashmir and bring them closure. I pray that together we will bring J&K out of this uncertainty and turmoil," he said.
Seeking help from opposition parties to drive out J&K of the uncertainty, Mufti said, "The role of the opposition is to oppose, dispose and expose. Jammu and Kashmir has some special situation in view of the situation through which the state has passed. I want to make it clear that whatever is my agenda, it is not to run my party but the entire state."
"I want to be inclusive. We have to bring the state out of this problematic situation and uncertainty. We need cooperation of opposition including NC and Congress," he said. Chief Minister said, "Whenever we talk about Common Minimum Programme of the alliance, we will take into account all stakeholders which will include mainstream political parties and others also. It is my intention."
Mufti said his government would work for rehabilitation of all the flood-hit people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it would not be based on religious lines. "The floods have not only hit Kashmir but Jammu also but people are making a hue and cry about floods in Kashmir only. There has been lot of damage in Chenab valley, Rajouri and Poonch regions," he said.
"I want to make it clear. I have discussed rehabilitation programme with regard to flood-hit victims with the Prime Minister and we have kept everything in mind particularly the Chenab Valley region and power projects in Baglihar, they have also faced problems on account of floods," he said. "When we undertake rehabilitation of flood-hit people it should not give an impression of being Kashmir-centric but that of Jammu region also," he said.
Referring to the difficult phase the State has gone through, Mufti Sayeed said it is time to heal the wounds and wipe the tears of the people by giving them inclusive governance that takes on board all political parties. "Opposition's job is to oppose and expose. We seek everyone's cooperation in giving government of substance to the people," he said.
Mufti Sayeed urged the political parties not to see through the narrow prism of regional politics on the issue of establishment of two Central institutions, AIIMS in Kashmir and Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Jammu, saying that it is the people of the State who stand to benefit once these institutions of excellence start functioning.
"For advanced medical treatment, we are forced to travel to either Chandigarh or New Delhi. Once AIIMS is established, these medical facilities will be available to our citizens within the state," he stated and added that coming up of IIM at Jammu will benefit our young and talented students who aspire for state-of-the-art institutions of higher learning.
Chief Minister also spoke about the Government's plan to repair the difficult stretch from Ramban to Banihal on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway that regularly forces closure of road for days together. He said the alternate route of Mughal Road will be thrown open for traffic from last week of April. Welcoming the new members to the Upper House of the Legislature, Mufti Sayeed termed it as a positive sign the presence of many youngsters in the "House of Elders".
He said the debates and discussions in the House maintain a system of checks and balances over the Government. "I am impressed by the quality of debates during the Budget Session and the ability of the new members to extract information from the Ministers, who have equally done a fine job," he said and asked the Ministers to be remain accessible to the people at all times to solve their genuine problems. |
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