BJP demands security for non-Kashmiris,expresses concern exodus

New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) Expressing concern over the large-scale exodus of non-Kashmiris, mostly labourers from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan and West Bengal, the BJP today demanded the Central Government and the State Government to inculcate a sense of security in the minds of non-Kashmiris and make serious effort to stop these labourers from fleeing Jammu and Kashmir.

A three-member Parliamentary delegation headed by BJP Minority Morcha President Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, which visited Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of heavy migration of non-Kashmiris labourers from the valley, in its report to Party President Rajnath Singh has painted a grim situation, saying the anti-national forces were ''trying to spoil communal and social harmony.'' Talking to newspersons, Mr Hussain said that about 35,000 labourers had already left the valley and if effective steps were not taken, the remaining non-Kashmiris would also leave the state.

He said the delegation had met Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and expressed its conceren on the issue. Disputing the CM's claim that only 7,000 such labourers had fled following a warning by a Hurriyat leader to non-Kashmiris to leave the state, he recalled how the Kashmiris Pandits were subjected to leave the state.

Regretting that the Congress which was ruling in the Centre and the State was keeping a stoic silence over the development, he said the Chief Minister, however, agreed with the delegation that their exodus would affect the developmental work in the state.

Mr Hussain said the delegation told J&K Governor and the CM that the Constitution has bestowed right upon every citizen to reside at the place of his choice and it was the duty of the State Government to take care of their security. ''If no immediate remedial measures were taken to imbibe a sense of security to these people, the BJP would raise this issue in the Monsoon session of Parliament beginning on August 10,'' he said.

UNI