'Doda massacre was an eye opener for government'

Srinagar, May 25: The Panun Kashmir, a frontal organisation of Kashmiri Pandits, has dismissed the Centre's claim that situation was conducive for members of the displaced community to return to the Valley, saying the recent massacre of Hindus in Doda district should be an ''eye opener'' for the government.

''The recent massacre in Doda should be an eye opener for the Centre as it unfolds a big gameplan of militants to evacuate Hindu minorities from the so-called Greater Kashmir across the river Chenab as per Operation Topac of Pakistan,'' Panun Kashmir Convenor Dr Agnishekhar said while making a presentation yesterday at the second round-table conference here.

The two-day conclave is chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He said the massacres and violence between the first and second round-table conference vindicated their claim that the situation in the Valley would be never conducive for Kashmiri Pandits to return.

''Therefore, carving of a separate area for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits with full constitutional guarantees is the only solution for their settlement and return to the Valley,'' Dr Agnishekhar said.

He expressed surprise that Indian leaders did not refer anywhere to the resolution passed by parliament, declaring that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the left out task was to settle the dispute of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) only.

Dr Agnishekhar rejected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) proposals of self-rule and demilitarisation as steps to boost the ''Musharraf doctrine''. He also appealed to the Prime Minister to give priority to ''de-terrorisation'' and not to demilitarisation.

The Panun Kashmir leader hailed former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's statement that the Prime Minister should not hold separate talks with the Hurriyat Conference or other separatist groups.

''The Centre should send a clear message to the Hurriyat and their masters that we will go ahead with you, without you and inspite of you,'' he added.

Dr Agnishekhar expressed anguish that the government was implementing many CBMs for militants and ''anti-national elements under the philosophy of healing touch while the nationalist community (Kashmiri Pandits) is at the verge of extinction.'' He sought a comprehensive economic package for the displaced community till some political solution was arrived at besides special recruitment drive for Kashmir Pandit youth.

Dr Agnishekhar invited Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to visit all the migrant camps, particularly Battal Balia in Udhampur and demanded its immediate shifting to some safer place in Jammu.

Mr Azad, in his response, expresed willingness to visit all the migrant camps.

Dr Agnishekhar later handed over a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

UNI

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