Issue of migration of non-locals from Kashmir, rocks J&K assembly

Srinagar, Aug 25 (UNI) Cutting across the party lines, members in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today expressed concern over the threat to non-locals and their subsequent migration from the valley.

Raising the issue during Zero hour, Congress member Yogesh Sawhney said it was unfortunate that some organisations issued threats to non-local labourers and others to leave the valley.

He said several thousand labourers left the valley because of the threat.

''We should call them back as they contribute to the development of our state, particularly in the valley, ''Mr Sawhney said adding ''majority of them are Muslims.'' Leader of the Opposition, Abdul Rahim Rather said, ''we all are concerned on this.'' He said it woul send a wrong signal outside the state where our youths were studying or doing business.

Mr Rather said the government should make arrangements for their return and assure them (outside labourers) that they would be provided security where needed.

Pandit Mangat Ram Sharma, Health Minister, said all members-- from treasury bench and opposition-- were equally concerned over the issue.

All the three regions of the state--Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir valley--faced shortage of labourers and other workers.

He said a threat was issued after an incident in Kupwara in which two locals and two outsiders were involved.

This House should appeal to those who left after the threat to return back and join us to develop the state, he added.

However, he said, several labourers, who had left are now returning back.

''We need them and we welcome them,'' Mr Sharma said adding ''it is not a question of Hindu or Muslim, anybody can commit crime who has to be dealt under law.'' Deputy Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, who was on the chair, requested the members not to raise this issue now in the House.

Without naming any individual or any organisation, he said those who had warned the labourers later came out with a clarification that only criminals had to go.

He said nobody would shield the criminals and they would have to face the law of the land.

When NC Chief Whip Mubarak Gul wanted that it should be made mandatory for all outside labourers and other workers to give information to nearest police station, Mr Lone said, ''Mr Gul you are always trying to disrupt the house, please sit.

Mr Gul said when a Kashmiri is going to Delhi or any other state, he is being harassed and he has to inform local police there.

More than three lakh outsiders are working in the Kashmir valley as labourers, carpenters and other workers.

UNI