SRINAGAR: The non-migrant Kashmir Pandits staged a sit-in and Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay Tickoo started a ‘fast-unto-death’ here at Ganesh Mandir, Ganpatyaar, Habba Kadal in Srinagar on Sunday against the ‘punishing’ of the community members in the Valley.

Kashmiri Pandits Stage Protest at Ganesh Mandir, Ganpatyaar, Habba Kadal, Srinagar on Sunday, September 20, 2020.

In a statement, Kashmir Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS) president Sanjay Tickoo said that they strongly feel that Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R) Department is punishing left out (Non-Migrant) Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus for staying back in Kashmir Valley.

“Since abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, we the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley are facing harassment and isolation at the hands of Relief Department. Despite multiple directions from Hon’ble High Court and recommendations from the Central Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Relief Department is playing with the life and security of the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley,” he said in a statement.

“Since June 2020, hundreds of communications stand submitted to all concerned authorities in UT and Centre about the vicious and morally corrupt staff of the Relief Department. Situations are created like either they sabotage the whole process of Jobs and Rehabilitation of Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley or we must negotiate under the table deal with the officers/officials of the Relief Department to get the directions of the  High Court and recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs implemented on the ground zero,” he added.

“Lately, on 27.08.2020 a delegation of KPSS also met Lieutenant Governor, UT of JK at Raj Bhawan, Srinagar and submitted a detailed memorandum and apprised him about the conspiracy hatched by Relief Department against the Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandits – Kashmiri Hindus living in Kashmir Valley,” Tickoo said, adding that “LG assured them that necessary steps will be taken on priority to sort out the issue which is related to the survival and existence of 808 Non-Migrant Kashmiri Pandit – Kashmiri Hindu families living in Kashmir Valley. But till date, no action stands taken on the issues.”

The non-migrants also staged a sit-in at Ganesh Mandir, Ganpatyaar-Habba Kadal in the old city.

The KPSS demands include a “vigilance inquiry against the officials of the Relief Department for “deliberately stalling and sabotaging” relief and rehabilitation of the non-migrant Pandits and implementation of High Court directions and recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding jobs to the unemployed educated Kashmiri Pandit youth.

Other demands include “stress-free process of providing bonafide certificates’, monthly financial aid to 808 non-migrant Kashmiri Pandit families living in Kashmir, providing accommodation to the deserving and extension of benefits of Migrant Welfare Fund.

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