Kashmiri pandits reject plan on separate enclosures

SRINAGAR: Kashmiri pandits attending Mela Kheer Bhawani in Tulmul area in north Kashmir, 30 kms from Srinagar, rejected the idea of returning to separate townships in the Valley.

The devotees said economic opportunities and political stability remain a concern for their return. “We would return to peaceful and politically stable Kashmir. And it is not possible to come to separate enclosures. This will only widen the gap between the two communities,” said 35- year-old Praveen, who works in education department in Kashmir. His family lives in Jammu. Last week chief minister Mufti Syed had a meeting with delegation of Kashmiri pandits in Delhi.

The delegation submitted a proposal detailing about the modalities of their return. Kheer Bhawani festival this year witnessed thin attendance due to bad weather conditions and dysfunctional national highway.