Kashmir problem can't be resolved without settling 1947 migrants: Padgaonkar

Jammu, Feb 23: Veteran journalist Dileep Padgaonkar who is heading the team of interlocutors appointed by the central government said that the problem of Kashmir could never be resolved by isolating the issues concerning the migrants.

Talking to reporters after visiting a couple of resettlement colonies set up for refugees, he said: "From my side, a message will go to Central Government that Kashmir issue can never be solved until the migrants get their justice."

He said that he would definitely convey this message to the Central government.

"We have seen with our own eyes the conditions here. People have been living here for the past sixty odd years. And I think no human being should be living like this. These are people uprooted from their homes. They have sought refuge in one part of the country. They have great sense of grievance because they feel they are entitled to certain rights, which are being neglected, and we have listen to all of these and we will communicate to they highest authorities of the country," he added.

Most of the refugees in the camps were compelled to quit their native soil in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Poonch first in 1947 and then again in two phases in 1965 and 1971 after India-Pakistan wars.

The migrants said they have a ray of hope as interlocutors admitted that their living conditions are really pathetic.

However, the refugees are hopeful that the visit of interlocutors will be fruit full and they might get some relief.

The three-member panel comprising Padgaonkar, M M Ansari and Prof Radha Kumar once again expressed its willingness to meet separatist leaders.

The interlocutors, who are awaiting a response from separatists to their invitation for a meeting, said the panel was ready to meet them wherever they wished interlocutors to go for a dialogue.

They met Minister for Agriculture and President of Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) Ghulam Hassan Mir, Veteran Human Rights leader and academician Balraj Puri,heads of Commissions including State Information Commission (SIC) and State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

ANI