Srinagar, Apr 12: All India Kashmiri Samaj on Monday demanded a ‘comprehensive return and rehabilitation package’ for Pandits' return to Kashmir. The demand was made by its president, Moti Lal Kaul, at a press conference here.
 Responding to queries, Kaul said Pandits' return was not a matter of mere assurances “but it demands a comprehensive return and rehabilitation package which could ensure them political space.” He, however, refused to elaborate. The government, he said, “hasn’t done what it should have done” and “not at the speed it should have.” He said there has to be a blue-print for bringing back the Pandits.
 Demanding constitution of a body for the purpose, he said the apex body formed by the government earlier lacked teeth. “The body isn’t relevant in the current scenario. Government needs to lend it teeth. There is need for serious efforts to bring back Pandits,” he said.
 Contrary to the government claims of facilitating Pandits’ return, Kaul asserted that in past eight years the number of Pandits who had preferred to stay back in the Valley dropped from 10000 to 3500 “and we can’t guess their number in next five years.”
 He held the government responsible for it, saying, “It didn’t make serious efforts to rehabilitate Pandits forcing their migration. Government didn’t come up with economic or developmental packages. There hasn't been an employment package either.”
 Kaul said the Government could have given vacant quarters to Pandits dislocated due to “violence in the Valley.”  “Land of all temples has been grabbed and temples are in a bad state,” he said, refusing to pin point any.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST