Pandits launch political party in Jammu & Kashmir

JAMMU: A political party was on Thursday launched by displaced Kashmiri Pandits, who said it would fight for their return to the valley and setting up of a development board for them in Jammu.

"We have launched a political party, the Jammu and Kashmir National Democratic Front, with the aim to fight for the honourable return and rehabilitation of Pandits in the valley and constitution of a development board for them in Jammu," its acting coordinator AK Dewani told reporters here.

He said the JKNDF aimed to have branches in most states and a membership of 3.5 lakh.

Flanked by the All Party Migrant Coordination Committee chairman Vinod Pandit, Dewani said it has launched a membership drive in Srinagar, Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Ambala in the first phase.

The constitution of a development board in Jammu for the community, its return to the valley, development of temple trusts and migrant camps, enhancement of relief and passage of bill dealing with their shrines are included in its agenda.

He said the party was registrating itself with the Election Commission.