KPs welcome Hizb statement on their return to Valley

Srinagar, Aug 14 (UNI) Several senior Kashmiri Pandit leaders have welcomed the Hizbul Mujahideen's statement in which the outfit asked members of the displaced community to return to the Valley.

''We welcome the Hizb statement. It is a big confidence building measure for the Kashmiri Pandits,'' All Kashmir Pandit Conference President Amaranth Vaishnavi and senior leader P N Tiku said here.

They said there was a dire need to protect the temples and property of the Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley. ''Ultimately one day, the Kashmiri Pandits have to return to their homes in the Valley,'' the leaders added.

They said it was the responsibility of the people, the government and other groups to save the religious and cultural heritage of the Kashmiri Pandits.

''Any effort in this noble cause will help in maintaining the age-old communal brotherhood for which Kashmir is known,'' the Pandit leaders said.

The leaders had earlier alleged that non-state subjects faking as ''sadhus and Mahants'' were illegally occupying and selling the temples in Kashmir.

Reacting to the statement, Hizb spokesman Junaid-ul-Islam expressed serious concern over the development and accused India of ''pursuing secret plans to settle non-Kashmiris in the state''.

He said the Pandits were part of Kashmiri society and as a conspiracy their property was being sold in the Valley.

''We will not allow anyone to destroy our traditions. The Hizb is with the Kashmiri Pandit community on the issue,'' he added.

The spokesman appealed to the Kashmiri Pandits to return to their homes in the Valley.

Meanwhile, Hurriyat Conference (Moderate) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has also welcomed the Hizb statement.

The Mirwaiz said his faction of the amalgam was already in favour of the return of the Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley. He said the Hurriyat Conference had on several occasions conveyed to the members of the displaced community to return to their homes in the Valley.

UNI AG SB RS1343