Manmohan promises to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits: Studying the Implications of the Policy

-Exclusive Pictures: Above: PM laying the foundation stone at Jagati Left:Jagti Town - Right:PM at Jammu University-

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Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today promised to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley from where they were displaced due to the militancy in the early 1990s.

Laying the foundation stone of a 4,200-flat township for the community here, he said the pandits would be take back to the Kashmir valley and the present township is only a temporary dwelling place for the community to provide them with better living conditions.

He said by laying the foundation stone of the township, he he has fulfilled his promise of providing better living conditions for the community.

"I have fulfilled the promise made to you in 2004. Although it was a bit late, but today it was fulfilled by laying foundation stone for your township," Singh, who was accompanied by Union Minister for Water Resources, Saif-uddin Soz and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, said.

Referring to his visit to the Muthi camp in 2004, he said "I have myself seen your miserable living conditions and during that tour I made a promise for providing you better living conditions".

He also noted that it was difficult for the community to live in the heat conditions prevalent in the city.

"I was told that over 1000 flats have been constructed and over 4000 more quarters would be constructed here," he said adding when 5000 quarters would be completed, he would hand them over to migrants.

History is witness to the miseries and plight of the community, Singh said adding "you (Kashmiri Pandits) have bore the burnt of worst situations".

"We want to lessen your miseries and problems by providing you with good living conditions," he said. Singh said 200 flats have also been constructed at Budgam for Kashmiri migrants and these could be used as temporary dwelling place for them.

Does this step really mean to be positive in anyway to the Kashmiri Pandit community which is languishing in camps for over 18 years now?

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Isn't this a second migration and a political drama to sideline Pandit community in future?

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Policy makers and Strategists believe that this step can have far-flung implications in terms of Political voice of the Kashmiri Panit community. Without doubt the camp inmates will get a better living condition but gradually this step will lead to Permanent settlement of Pandits in a specified area. Apart from political implications, viewing the harsh impact and the economic and social life in Jagti will leave a blow on Pandits. It is a matter of deep study and introspection for the Pandit community to agree with this step of temporary rehabilitation.

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The question which remains unanswered is that, "Does Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indeed know the political, social and econimic implications on the Pandit community, of the foundation stone he laid today or is he being misleaded by Government of J&K and some other advisors?"

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