KPS observed 21st anniversary of ''Holocaust Day'' in Jammu

Jammu, Jan 19 (PTI) Groups of Kashmiri Pandits todaycame together to stage demonstrations to highlight the plightof community members on the 21st anniversary of the ''HolocaustDay'', when thousands of them were forced to flee the Valleyfollowing the outbreak of militancy.

Over 300 activists of the Joint Forum of KashmiriPandit organisations - Panun Kashmir Movement (PKM), All StateKashmir Pandit Conference (ASKPC) and Non-camp MigrantCoordination Committee (NCMCC) staged protest demonstrationsbefore the Raj Bhawan here.

The demonstrators carried placards and raised slogansreminding of the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from theValley more than 20 years back. They also raised slogansagainst terrorism and the alleged apathetic attitude of thegovernment against the displaced community.

It was on the same day in 1990 that the Hindus weregiven ultimatum to leave Kashmir or get killed, PKM chiefAshwani Kumar Chrungoo told reporters.

He said the Kashmiri Pandits cannot forget the factsof history and the horrors that they were forced to undergo inthe Valley thereafter.

"It is the mission of our generation to pass on themessage of our history to the next generation. The government,under a well thought out plan, is trying to wish away theissue of displacement of the community", he alleged.

AIKPC General Secretary H L Chatta said the communityhas been the victim of man-made catastrophe in the Valley and"mere economic or employment packages cannot pave way for ourresettlement in the Valley."

Unless geo-political aspirations of the community aremet in the valley, there can be no possibility of return. Theresettlement is to be seen in the context of genocide andethnic cleansing of the community in the Valley, he said.

NCMCC chairman D N Kissu said "even after twenty oneyears of exile, the Kashmiri Pandits continue to live inpathetic conditions in camp and non-camp areas".

"We appeal to the government to urgently complete workat Jagti Township so that the needy and deserving families arerehabilitated," he said.

Panun Kashmir organisation organised a public meetingtoday and remembering the events that led to the displacementof the Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley. Its convener DrAgnishekhar said the process their exodus was set in motionfor the community with the advent of Islamic rule in Kashmir.

Over 200 activists of Jammu and Kashmir Vichar Manch(JKVM) also observed the day near Jammu Press club hereand launched campaign "My Exile" today.