Kashmiri Pandits needs a "secured zone" in Kashmir: BJP

Jammu: The BJP on Thursday said return of Kashmiri Pandits should not be kept hostage to the dictate of the separatist leadership and strongly demanded a "secured zone" for those who want to return to their homeland.

"We are very much clear and we want the return and resettlement of the Kashmiri Pandit community in the Kashmir valley in a dignified manner. They must be given secure environment. They should not go and live in scattered places in their villages, they need proper security zones for their survival," BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said.

When asked whether the BJP was diluting its stand after the chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed backtracked from the issue of creating a "composite township" for the displaced members of the community he said, "See we are not silent, the government not succumb under the pressure of the separatists who are Pakistani agents".

He said that the Kashmiri Panidits should not be allowed to become a soft target of the terrorists and for that purpose a "secured zone" was necessary for them. "If they return to scattered places they will be on the mercy of terrorists and the separatists, only a secured zone can provide them atmosphere where they can lead a dignified life," he said.

Terming the Kashmiri separatists as the agents of Pakistan and Pakistani intelligence agencies, he said, "they are working on the behest of Pakistan and the return of Kashmiri Pandit community should not be left hostage to their dictate".

He said that it was in early 90's when the Kashmiri Pandit community was forced to leave their houses and migrate to other parts of the country.

"In early 90s they were made to leave their houses on Gun point, they were forces to leave everything behind, they left their houses to save their life and honor and they did not come out for excursions. Now it is the duty of the government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir government to ensure their dignified return with safety and security," he said.

He said the rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandit community was a prerogative of the Union Government and the Mufti Government in Jammu and Kashmir must work in coordination for the resettlement of the displaced community.

"Modi government has to decide after talking to the Kashmiri Pandit, we cannot leave them on the mercy of the terrorists. Jammu and Kashmiri Government will have to coordinate and work with the government of India towards the rehabilitation of the community," he said.