'Kashmiri Pandits should be included in talks'

Panun Kashmir has demanded that Kashmiris Pandits should be included in the talks that are going on between the government of India and some elements in Kashmir politics. Amongst those who participated in the seminar organised by Kashmiri Pandits in New Delhi on Saturday included former governor of Jammu and Kashmir Jagmohan, former defence minister of India George Fernandes, Dr Ajay Chrungoo, chairman Panun Kashmir, Bramhma Challeny and Dr Shakti Bhan.

Jagmohan attacked former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Farooq Abdullah for alleging that it was Jagmohan who had asked Kashmiri Pandits to flee from the Valley on the night of January 19/20, 1990.

"I went to participate in a seminar in Kolkata recently and there Omar Abdullah, president of the National Conference, was also present. He said that Kashmiri Pandits had fled the Valley because of fear of the terrorists. I asked him how come he was saying something that is totally different from one his father had been saying. Omar said that everyone knows why the Pandits left the Valley," Jagmohan claimed.

Speaking on the occasion, George Fernandes said that he would not like to go into the details of Jammu and Kashmir politics, but his sympathies lie with the Kashmiri Pandits and the ways and means should be found to ensure their safe return to their homeland in the Valley. And they should be included in any talks," he added.

Dr Chungoo wondered where the peace intiative between India and Pakistan would appeal to the Pandits. "We strongly reject the so called peace progess initiated by the government of India and ostensibly with the people of the state, but in reality with representatives of Muslim separatists," he said.

Bramhma Challeny questioned the wisdom of the Indian government and asked how India could afford to continue to give concessions to Pakistan in its bid to hammer out a solution of Jammu and Kashmir problem. "I read the statement of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee where he said that an agreement has been reached between India and Pakistan to withdraw troops from Siachen glacier. I want to know where is Pakistan on the glacier. There are only Indian troops on the Siachen glacier," he said.

Dr Shakti Bhan said that the so-called confidence building measures announced by India would be used by Pakistan to promote its partisan interest in Jammu and Kashmir state.

"Kashmiri Pandits are indigenous groups of the homogenous population of Jammu and Kashmir and has full claim on the territory of J&K. Pandits are the first and natural party to any dialogue with the government of India and future political set-up of the state within the Indian Union," she said.

She strongly condemned the policy of the state government of denying jobs to Kashmiri Pandit youth and forcing them to leave the state.