Srinagar: An organisation of Kashmiri
Pandits on Monday demanded a law to protect their places of
worship in the valley which are in a dilapidated state and
prone to encroachment.
"The condition of temples and shrines of the minority
community in different parts of the valley is deplorable. We
demand a bill in the state legislature to ensure protection of
these places of worship," All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS)
president Moti Kaul told reporters here.
Referring to alleged illegal encroachment of the land of
many temples and shrines in the valley, he said he visited two
religious places at Safekadal and was disappointed to see
their condition. Besides, some vested interests are trying to
grab the land around these places," Kaul said, adding a little
amount can be spared by the government for their protection.
To a question that security forces have occupied many
temples, he said once such a bill is passed the protection of
the shrines and temples will become imperative.
He said "migrants are keen to return to Kashmir, but it
depends on the government`s steps to facilitate that".
Kaul said the migrants have formed a body which has put
forth certain suggestions before the government to create a
conducive atmosphere for their return, but "unfortunately no
action is being taken in this regard. There were 10,000
Kashmiri Pandits living in the valley a few years back. Today
the approximate number is around 3,500 only".
On a separate homeland demand put forth by an
organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, he said "We do not want
repetition of such conditions that we had to leave our homes
after coming back to Kashmir. We want steps for
rehabilitation..."
He demanded that migrant Kashmiri Pandits be accorded
suitable accommodation till condition becomes conducive for
their return.
The other important issue facing Kashmiri Pandits is the
increasing unemployment among the youth. "There is a growing
frustration...there is no alternate source of income available
to them other than government jobs," Kaul said.
PTI
