Government has failed to rehabilitate Kashmiri migrants: J&K Peace Forum

The Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum (JKPF) on Saturday threatened to launch protests across Kashmir if the central government fails to announce a policy for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, including the Pandits, before May 1 this year.

JKPF’s chairperson, Satish Mahaldar, said the central government has failed to restore the fundamental rights and rehabilitate the indigenous Kashmiri migrants.

“This big vibrant democratic country and big promises made by various governments have failed on ground,” said Mahaldar. “They have failed the promises made before the parliament as well…I request the current government to kindly rehabilitate the migrants back to the Valley and come up with a policy and announcement before May 1. If the government fails to announce any policy, we will go for protests from Kashmir.”


He also urged the Muslim Personal Law Board, Wakf Board, the NGOs working for peace and justice, the people of Kashmir and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of Hurriyat Conference to help make necessary arrangements for the return of the Kashmiri migrants.

“We are an inclusive society and have to work together…there are Kashmiri Pandits, 10 lakh Muslims and 1 lakh Sikhs who are living in exile,” he said.

The JKPF chairman said that every Kashmiri is a patriot and nationalist and the government should release every political prisoner and youngsters lodged in jails across the country.

Mahaldar also urged the government to settle and rehabilitate the migrant employees who got jobs under the Prime Minister's package and have been protesting for several months now.

“If the government of India can provide security to political persons, why can't it provide security to the ordinary citizens? In J&K, everybody needs security, but if PM package employees are feeling threatened and vulnerable, why isn't the government providing them security,” he said.