Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that Kashmiri Pandits are integral part of Kashmirayat and their return is essentially significant to the restoration of the composite culture of the valley.“The loss of sense of security forced them leave their homeland”, he said maintaining that their return to valley will not be by force but by creating conducive and favourable conditions and restoring back the sense of security in them.Addressing the Members of Youth All India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS) hailing from various parts of Kashmir from Gulmarg to Srinagar and Kokernag to Lolab, led by their President, R. K. Bhat who called on him here, the Chief Minister said that he would continue to make efforts to create secure and peaceful atmosphere in the valley for the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits. He said a great number of KPs want to return to valley and become the similar part of the society which they used to be before the militancy.
Omar said that the return of 1500 youth to the valley in connection with employment and their mingling with the majority community is a healthy sign and good omen for the mass return of KPs. He said Kashmiri Pandits were spread all across the state and lived in amity with the majority community before the militancy. “My endeavour is to restore the same situation. I do not want to take Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and other parts of the country to the valley and make them live in camps. They are integral part of Kashmir and Kashmir’s composite culture. Their co-existence with majority community is essentially important for restoration of the composite culture of the valley”, he said and added that though, packages and other facilities for return of Kashmiri Pandits are of crucial significance yet the restoration of sense of security in them is of primary importance.
The Chief Minister thanked the Members of YAIKS for reposing full faith in him and extending their support in his efforts for safe return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. He said he views this issue as a human issue and its addressing completely apolitical.
Earlier, expressing gratitude to Omar Abdullah for making a history by implementing the employment package and helping return of 1500 KP youth to the valley, the President, YAIKS, R. K. Bhat said that Omar Abdullah never made false promises to them but took historic steps towards rehabilitation and return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley. “We have seen your sincerity towards Kashmiri Pandits and the keen interest in our welfare and betterment”, he said and mentioned the practical work done at ground by Omar Abdullah to facilitate and encourage return of Kashmiri Pandits in a conducive and favourable atmosphere.