Jammu and Kashmir: State govt committed to return, settlement of Kashmiri Pandits

Jammu and Kashmir governor N N Vohra on Wednesday said the PDP-BJP government was committed to the return and settlement of displaced persons, including Kashmiri Pandits. "The government is committed to the return and settlement of displaced persons, including the Kashmiri Pandits who are a part of the ethnic diversity and must be rehabilitated in a manner which fully addresses their sense of insecurity," Vohra said in his joint address to the legislatures which marked the beginning of five-week budget session.

On the issue of refugees from Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Vohra said assistance has been received from the Government of India for providing humanitarian relief to them. "The issue has been hanging fire for the past six decades. The modalities for the distribution of this relief are being finalised in consultation with the Government of India," he said.

In the case of West Pakistan refugees, which is another serious humanitarian issue, a committee is presently deliberating on the possible measures which can be provided to them for sustenance and livelihood support, the Governor said.