Kashmiri Pandits rehabilitation begins in Budgam

Sheikhpora (JK) Mar 4: The resettlement of migrant Kashmiri Pandits has started at Sheikhpora in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam District. Thirty Kashmiri Pandit migrant families have shifted into newly constructed flats here on Monday.

"This colony is meant for Kashmiri Pandits who have migrated. How eager they are to return can be understood by the fact that all the 30 flats have been occupied," said Farooq Renzoo, a state government official. According to officials, these families had stayed on in the Kashmir valley inspite of conditions not being too rosy for them. The officials added that bringing migrant Kashmiri Pandits residing in Jammu and in other parts of the country back to the valley would follow. The Sheikhpora colony has been constructed at a cost of 200 million rupees by the state Government. The colony, which is located about 15 kilometers from Srinagar, has 200 flats.

It will have basic facilities like shops, a children's park, parking slots, an overhead water tank, a sewerage treatment plant, an electric sub division and a place of worship. "We are very happy to settle here, as our family was compelled to live for eleven years in a single room," said Ashok Kumar, one of the flat owners.

Flats for other Kashmiri Pandit migrants are also being constructed at Tullamulla near Ganderbal and at Mattan in Anantnag District. The State Government has received over 1300 applications from migrant families living in camps at different places in Jammu and Udhampur.

According to the National Human Rights Commission, about 300,000 Kashmiri Pandits were forced to leave the Kashmir Valley following attacks and threats by militants.

ANI