Allow Kashmiris in PoK to return: Mufti

Srinagar, Apr 21: Demanding safe passage for all the Kashmiri youths still living across the border, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said a collective effort was needed to give a healing touch to human tragedies left behind by the more than a decade-long violence.

He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a partner in the Congress-led coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, has called for implementing a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for the victims of violence.

''We also demand facilitating safe return of all the Kashmiri boys who had gone across for arms training and are now eager to return back and lead peaceful lives,'' the former Chief Minister said while addressing a public meeting at Bundzoo in south Kashmir today.

The Mufti said the PDP would propose at the roundtable in New Delhi on April 24 various measures enshrined in its Self-Rule document for speedy implementation to ensure the political and economic welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The PDP Patron said as the peace and reconciliation process is heading towards an amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue, a collective effort is now needed to give a healing touch to the human tragedies left behind by the more than decade-long violence.

''Rehabilitation of thousands of orphans, widows, destitute and handicapped should be the primary concern of society and the Government now,'' he said and added that such an initiative needs to be taken at the earliest as, otherwise, there could be a social crisis in the making.

He said the rehabilitation scheme must target all the victims of violence, including the dependants of the militants killed during the turmoil.

The Mufti said as a reconciliatory measure, the government must announce free passage to all the boys, who had gone across for arms training and are now eager to return to their families and lead peaceful lives.

He said as most of the boys have realised that the violence has only brought death and destruction to the people of the state, they must be given a chance to come and contribute towards the rebuilding of their own and the state's future.

He said the safe return of these boys would be also a welcome addition to their families.

The former Chief minister said India and Pakistan must speed up the implementation of the inter-State confidence building measures, including facilitation of free movement of people and goods through all the cross-LoC traditional routes.

''It is dismaying to note that till now this movement has remained just symbolic in nature and despite announcements nothing has been done to allow trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road,'' he said and added that there must be tangible movement on these issues to make the peace process meaningful.

The Mufti called for an immediate transfer of the Dulhasti Power Project to the State and speeding up work on Udhampur-Qazigund rail project to boost economic development.

He also called for pacing up the work on Mughal Road and implementation of four-laning project for Pampore-Shopian road to provide better connectivity to the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri with Srinagar via Shopian.

UNI