HVK Archives: Sponsored delegation spills the Beans - Pandit Return
Sponsored delegation spills the Beans - Pandit Return - Kashmir Sentinel
Posted By Krishnakant Udavant (kkant@bom2.vsnl.net.in)
August 1-15, 1998
Title: Sponsored delegation spills the Beans - Pandit Return
Author:
Publication: Kashmir Sentinel
Date: August 1-15, 1998
Euphopria generated by initial greetings evaporated soon into
thin air. He could not stand the sight of his two houses. One
house had totally collapsed and other one was just an erect
structure. Its doors and windows had been taken out. When
Girsdhari Lal entered his home village eeth Kanihama in Budgam
district there was an apparent commotion in the entire village.
ira Maam Choo Aamut Girdhari Mama has come He was hugged by
his Muslim neighbours. Encouraged by the response he rushed to
see his abandoned home. View of the destroyed property conveyed
the message and he broke down.
This government sponsored delegation of All Kashmir Migrant
Association which visited certain areas of Budgam, Pulwama and
Anantnag districts had similar experiences everywhere. Villagers
greeted them but were totally indifferent to the issue of Pandit
return. ecurity can only be guaranteed by God. When we
ourselves are not safe how can we ensure your safety=94, was the
common answer whenever the visiting Pandits broached the issue of
safety in case of their return with the Muslims of their native
villages.
A prominent Pandit writer who visited his home village of Matan
recently to attend the last rites of his relative had a similar
opinion. hey are totally indifferent to the issue of our
return. Quite often you get a feeling as if we never existed for
them, he said
Village Vassura in Pulwama is the home village of Sh. Som Nath
Koul who was one of the members of the visiting Pandit
delegation. He saw a big atrine constructed at the site of
house which had earlier been burnt down. Entire landed property
around the house had been encroached upon by his immediate
neighbour.
Other abandoned Pandit house in the village had a similar fate.
All their lands had been occupied by their Muslim neighbours.
After initial welcome, the prominent Muslim villager posed a
direct question, hy have you brought police with you?
Message in the very question was very clear to Som Nath and he
was terror stricken inspite of two armed security guards with
them. He answered meekly e wanted to come alone but government
does not allow us without security gurads=94. He could not muster
courage to ask his neighbours as to how he had occupied his land.
The visit was arranged by the ruling National Conference Sh. M.
L. Bhat member legislative Council had reportedly arranged a
meeting of representatives of All Kashmiri Migrant Association a
newly created outfit, with the Chief Minister Dr. Farooq
Abdullah subsequently in a detailed meeting with the Relief
Commissioner this visit was cleared by the government. The
entire transport, lodging and boarding arrangements were made by
the administration. It was in stark contrast to total non-
cooperation by the government when a prominent all party
delegation of Panun Kashmir, ASKPC and Kashmiri Pandit Sabha
Jammu chose to visit Kashmiri subsequent to sangrampora messacre.
As per reliable sources, National Conference, after failing to
bring round any credible Pandit organisation to its point of
view, has embarked upon creating shadowy Pandit groups, who are
being encouraged to articulate and legitimise NC - line on the
issue of return. The visit of All Kashmir Migrant Association of
Shiv Nagar appears also to be a part of the same process. Sh. B.
L. Bhat, MLC of ruling party is making special efforts to ensure
the success of the strategy. Sh. Bhat is reportedly seeking a
renomination by ruling National Conference as his term in the
Legislative Council is to expire very soon.
Any hope of the members of this delegation, of seeing some basic
improvement in group conditions died within few days of their
visit. Interestingly instead of discussing the issue of return to
Kashmir Valley with the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and the
Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, the Pandit delegation
reportedly asked them to recommend provision of quarter or rent
allowance for the non-camp displaced persons in Jammu.
Seeing the situation first hand in Kashmir, the members of the
delegation refused to oblige Sh. B. L. Bhat who insisting them to
address a press Conference and declare that situation in Kashmir
was conducive for return.
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