Rehabilitate us before giving to others: Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar : Migrant Kashmiri Pandits on Sunday demanded rehabilitation and return to their homeland before domicile certificates are issued to others in Jammu and Kashmir.

An organisation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits, called Reconciliation, Return and Rehabilitation of migrants, headed by Satish Mahaldar, said in a statement on Sunday, "We demand stopping of the issuance of domicile certificates until Kashmiri Pandits are rehabilitated in the valley.

"It seems that the government of India is busy in pleasing non-residents and other refugees at the cost of Kashmiri Pandits. The present government had said that the migrant and displaced Kashmiri Pandits will be rehabilitated in ten districts of the valley. But so far there has been no movement in this regard.

"We demand that the government of India must immediately come out with the Kashmiri Pandit Rehabilitation Policy. This should be announced before the issuance of domicile certificates to any person. The process of issuing of domicile certificates should be stopped immediately".

The organisation said giving domicile certificates to outsiders before rehabilitating migrant Pandits is in violation of democratic, constitutional and humanitarian rights.

"Our fundamental Rights and constitutional rights have been denied since the last 31 years. And issuing domicile certificates before settling us back is a violation of all the basic constitutional and human rights.