Panun Kashmir to raise homland issue in round table conference

Jammu, May 23 (UNI) The Panun Kashmir, an socio-political orgainsation of Kashmiri Pandits which has been invited to attend the round table conference, has decided to put up its demand for separate homland in valley.

Panun Kashmir Chairman Ajay Chrungoo, who will participate in conclave tomorrow, said at a press conference here today that the Kashmiri Pandits, having faced ethnic cleansing and genocide since the last 17 years as well as political marginalisation, economic squeeze and social exclusion right from 1947 onwards, would uphold the demand for creation of a separate homeland in Kashmir for their resettlement in the valley.

''It was our spontaneous and unanimous view to participate when we received the invitation to attend the first Round Table Conference in New Delhi. This time, the decision to participate has not been an easy decision. The way, Government of India conducted the Ist round table conference and the public position taken by the highest in the government since then has raised serious apprehension about the real motivations to conduct such an exercise,'' Dr Chrungoo said.

He hoped that the government would fulfill its primary responsibility to uphold national integrity and sovereignty and these discussions will produce a ''good result.'' UNI HGV VD KP1722