Kashmiri Pandits may not be ready to return to the valley under the present circumstances of unpredictability. One has to make a realistic assessment that not only the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley will make things normal as we are aware of the fact that peace has not yet returned to the valley and there are no efforts by central and the state governments to give peace a priority and acknowledge the people’s right to self determination by which the aboriginals of JK State both the Muslims and non Muslims would live again together with the same spirit of communal harmony for which the people of Kashmir are known the world over. It is very necessary that the long pending Kashmir issue is resolved between India and Pakistan for promoting peace in the Indian sub continent so because Kashmir is on the flash point and may cause total destruction if political issues remain unsolved.
Kashmiri Pandits opted to leave the valley in early 90’s in the wake of militancy followed by para military and military operations ultimately destroyed the socio-economic fabric and the cultural heritage of Kashmiris. In fact the valley is not yet worth living due to the alarming situation created by the gun shots, grenades, search operations, curfews and hartals and the general unrest of the people who are on the mercy of the two nuclear powers, the unpredictable neighbours (India and Pakistan) who look busy in confidence building but actually lack the will for addressing their burning issues including that of the core issue of Kashmir. No doubt there is a significant change in the total scenario. Shifting of bunkers from roads and evacuation of forces from many hotels, government and private buildings etc. is a welcome move. The city and the other towns of the valley are free from bloody clashes between the civilians and the forces known for the last two decades yet there persists a constant threat of such occurrences anytime any place.
The proverb, “east or west the home is the best” aptly applies to the return of the migrant Pandits and others to the valley and the Muslims of the valley, the leaders of resistance camps, Hurriyat (M) and Hurriyat (G) factions also welcome the thought of rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, the mainstream, the opposition leadership also contribute to the efforts of KP’s return to the valley with different viewpoints between mainstream leadership and their right wings on one hand advocating for separate satellite colonies for KP’s. While the resistance leaders stand for common mode of life as they lived before without any barriers and inhibitions whatsoever.
It is the will of the Kashmiri Pandits as to when and how they would make their return. Before that the Central as well as the State Government has to abolish the black laws like AFSPA, PSA and related sections which are in vogue in the valley. It would be a hallmark of the Government to uphold the human rights of the people of Kashmir without any violation of it.  

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Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST