Dhumal assures Kashmiri migrants of all help to re-settle

Shimla, Feb 28 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today assured migrated Kashmiris that their interests were ''dear to the state government''.

He was addressing members of the Kashmiri Hindu Welfare Association, at Dharamshala, which organised a Civic Reception in his honour at Dharamshala, late last evening.

He said Himachal Pradesh happened to be the most peaceful state where life and property of the people were safe and protected and assured the migrated Kashmiris that the state would not be indifferent to their requirements and treat them on a par with the residents of the state.

The Chief Minister assured the Association of providing all possible aid from the state government in granting eligible Kashmiris permission to purchase land for construction of houses under the prevalent provisions of the state after observing all codal formalities.

He said adverse circumstances in Jammu and Kashmir had forced Kashmiri Hindus to migrate out of the state to find refuge here, adding it was unfortunate that people living in the state since generations were deprived of their legitimate right to stay in their home land.

The Chief Minister said he was concerned about the inconvenience being faced by migrated population in starting their life afresh in a new environment and among the different people and stressed the need to create congenial atmosphere with security to life and property back home so that people could return to their ancestral homes.

Mr Dhumal also advised the Kashmiri Hindus living in the state that they needed to keep in touch with their rich cultural heritage and groom their children in the Kashmiri way of life to keep the traditions alive with the coming generations. He said the social values of the Kashmiri society would help the youngsters to grow into responsible citizens.

UNI XC JN HS KN1752