No Israeli-type settlements for Kashmir Pandits, says Mufti Sayeed

Reiterating his opposition to composite townships for Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed today said his government was committed to bring the displaced community back but ruled out setting up "Israeli-type" separate clusters for their settlement.

"We will not make separate clusters that Israel has set up... Neither we will make that (separate townships) nor they (Kashmiri Pandits) have desired to live in that," Mufti told the Legislative Council here today. "During my previous tenure in 2003, we set up camps for them in Sheikhpura, and some places in Anantnag and Kupwara. They said they cannot live separately. We will bring this community back and integrate in Kashmiri milieu," he said.

"Kashmiri Pandits are a miniscule community. It is our programme to save the diversity of Kashmir. Our determination is clear to bring them back to Kashmir Valley with respect and dignity," he said.

Mufti said a total of 7,247 Kashmiri Pandits still live in Kashmir. "Anantnag has 638 Kashmiri Pandits, Ganderbal 151, Pulwama 390 and Budgam 870. They are also not living in separate clusters," he said.

Giving examples how Kashmiri Pandit families who did not migrate from Kashmir during the period of militancy are living scattered in Valley, Mufti said, "I went to a village in Pahalgam where I saw two Pandit families living at one place and some others at a long distance away. They are spread at different places. They do not have any connectivity." "Therefore, it is our mission that if we want to save our composite culture, it will be our utmost endeavour to bring them back to Kashmir. We will have to make conducive atmosphere for it. It will not be possible by hue and cry raised over the issue but to work to strengthen the relations," the chief minister added.

Ruling alliance partners PDP and BJP expressed different views on composite townships for settlement of Kashmiri Pandits with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday making it clear that the Centre was going ahead with its plan for composite townships for KPs while the chief minister voicing his opposition to such a proposal. 

Taking a dig at those raising a hue and cry over the issue
of settlement of Kashmiri Pandits, the chief minister said, "This hue and cry... I do not know why they are making it... They (Kashmiri Pandits) cannot live separately."

On the prevailing situation in the state, he said, "When we say that we have to bring out Jammu and Kashmir from an environment of uncertainty, it is a big mission. We will bring J&K out of that situation. I am happy that the Prime Minister of India has said it (PDP, BJP coming together) is not just an alliance but an alliance with a different objective. But a contradiction was triggered... We have to ensure that Jammu meets with Kashmir and bring them closure... I pray that together we will bring J&K out of this uncertainty and turmoil," he said.

Seeking help from opposition parties to drive out J&K of the uncertainty, Mufti said, "The role of the opposition is to oppose, dispose and expose. Jammu and Kashmir has some special situation in view of the situation through which the state has passed. I want to make it clear that whatever is my agenda, it is not to run my party but the entire state."

"I want to be inclusive. We have to bring the state out of this problematic situation and uncertainty. We need the cooperation of opposition including NC and Congress," he said.

The chief minister said, "Whenever we talk about Common Minimum Programme of the alliance, we will take into account all the stakeholders which will include mainstream political parties and others also. It is my intention."

Mufti said his government would work for rehabilitation of all the flood-hit people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it would not be based on religious lines. "...The floods have not only hit Kashmir but Jammu also but people are making a hue and cry about floods in Kashmir only. There has been a lot of damage in Chenab valley and Rajouri and Poonch regions," he said.

"I want to make it clear. I have discussed rehabilitation programme with regard to flood-hit victims with the Prime Minister and we have kept everything in mind particularly the Chenab Valley region and power projects in Baglihar, they have also faced problems on account of floods," he said. "When we undertake rehabilitation of flood-hit people it should not give an impression of being Kashmir-centric but that of the Jammu region also," he said.

Refuting allegations of regional bias in setting up of AIIMS in Pulwama, the chief minister said AIIMS was allocated to Kashmir and "IIT and IIM was given to Jammu based on our agenda for coalition partners". "If you can go to Chandigarh to avail medical facilities what is the hurdle in going to Pulwama to seek treatment at AIIMS... If IIT and IIM are set up in Jammu what is the problem for students of any region or districts to come here and take admissions in it and study," he said.

The chief minister said, "They will be all our children who will take admission in these institutions whichever regions they belong to. We should not play divisive politics."

On the repeated closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway, he said, "Due to frequent closure of the highway mostly because of rain we have asked for making Mughal Road as alternative highway between Jammu and Kashmir. I have given strict instructions that it should be reopened by April end."

"I had also called Northern Command Chief and both the state minister concerned and he will work together to ensure that highway is clear of snow by the end of April and made trafficable," he said.

Terming this coalition government as beginning of a new journey and new union, he said, "These are not the bonds woven by loose threads but that of strong threads. It is strong... Our agenda is well prepared."