Jammu: The United Kashmiri Pandit
Conference (UKPC) on Saturday accused the Centre and the state of
failing to take adequate steps to stop human rights violation
of Kashmiri pandits, who have been forced to leave the Valley,
and ensure their return and rehabilitation.
UKPC, an amalgam of various Kashmiri Pandit youth
organisations, also demanded the resignation of the members of
Apex Committee, set up by the government for return and
rehabilitation of the community.
Despite India being a signatory to universal
declaration of human rights, senior leader Vir Saraf said its
provisions were "being relentlessly violated as the members of
the community are deprived of liberty and security.
"They cannot go back to their native places in Kashmir
valley, from where they were forced to leave by fundamentalist
and separatist forces in 1989-90."
Criticising the steps taken for rehabilitation of the
community, he claimed the recent package of the government to
provide jobs to 3,000 youths from the community in Kashmir
valley had several harsh conditions.
UKPC leader V Sathu said the Apex Committee members
should resign as they have not been able to project the cause
of the displaced community before the government.
The government had set up a Apex Committee headed by
the Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation
Raman Bhalla.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, February 27, 2010, 17:47