Kashmiri Pandit team to visit valley; for involvement in talks

The delegation, likely to have nine representatives from various Kashmiri Pandit organisations, would be sent to the valley in June, AIKS president J N Kaul told PTI, adding exact details of the proposed programme would be worked out soon.

He said the delegation would interact with "Muslim brethren" and visit various places to assess "the ground realities in Kashmir, to see how we are acceptable there. The future plan about the community would be formulated on the basis of the team’s report."

Stating that the more than three lakh displaced Kashmiri Pandits were keen to return to their homes, he said "But we have to be provided homes in a secure environment."

About the Centre’s talks offer to "a few people", Kaul regretted that the government had not made its intentions clear about whether Kashmiri Pandits would be involved.

He added that no solution could be acceptable to the community unless it was involved in any talks on Kashmir "as we are the indigenous people of the valley." All India Kashmiri Pandit Conferernce (AIKPC) president H N Jattu questioned how the government could "ignore" Kashmiri Pandits when taking any decision regarding Kashmir.

He said various Kashmiri Pandit groups were working on formulating a strategy keeping in view the recent developments.

"No talks can be fruitful without the participation of Kashmiri Pandits. We are the integral part of the valley and hence our view has to be taken," asserted Kashmiri Samiti president C L Gadoo.

He also opposed grant of autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir and favoured abolition of Article 370, which grants special status to the state. "Jammu and Kashmir should be integrated more strongly with the Union which can be done by abolishing Article 370," Gadoo said.

Panun Kashmir convenor Agni Shekhar said Kashmiri Pandits are the ethnic people of the valley and "we expect to be involved in any talks."

He favoured geo-political reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir by dividing it into four parts – Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and a separate territory for Kashmiri Pandits within the valley and having Union Territory status.

Noted advocate Ashok Bhan said the Hurriyat Conference should talk to Kashmiri Pandits before talking to the Centre. He said ignoring of Kashmiri Pandits might lead to problems.

AIKS secretary Rajinder Kaul Premi said law and order situation should be improved in the valley to facilitate return of the migrants.