Kashmiri Pandits in Search of Permanent Settlement.
The forceful Exodus of more than five Lakh Kashmiri Pandits, a micro minority community from Kashmir Valley in 1990 was the darkest day in the History of Jammu and Kashmir when the militancy was at the peak and pro Pakistan elements were rolling the roast. The rein of terror spread by Pakistan sponsored terrorist and anti India elements during that period was at its peak which resulted into mass killing of Kashmiri Pandits with severe death threats to leave the valley. The Political system at large remained mute spectator and some of them were part of that movement who wanted to separate Kashmir from India. It was due to severe death threats, poster war and announcements followed by ultimatum given to Kashmiri Pandits to leave the valley within hours and with in days the entire community was wiped out from the Kashmir Valley under a well thought out machinations and plan leaving behind homes and hearths, belongings, immovable properties worth crores.
The rein of terror was such that there was a mental trauma, harassment fear and helplessness in the mind of every kashmiri Pandit who had to leave the valley in the wee hours of darkness knowing nothing where to go and take shelter to save their lives, religion and Nationalism.
The entire minority community was forced to take temporary shelter at Udhampur, Jammu and other parts of the country in Tents and camps in 1990 but the people of Jammu extended a solid helping hand in opening the doors of their houses for accommodating Kashmiri Pandits giving them strength and moral support which this community can never forget. Geeta Bhawan Jammu became the epicenter where volunteers of RSS, BJP many social organizations of Jammu came forward voluntarily, camped there for providing every sort of help to this displaced community and ensured that no family is left without food and shelter. That period was the toughest, saddest and crucial period for five lakh Kashmiri Pandits and many families camped at Udhampur, Jammu and many migrated to other parts of the country like Punjab, Himachal, Delhi and Mumbai for their survival as there was hue and cry every where in the community.
It was not possible at that time for the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to provide permanent accommodation for the entire community and therefore temporary tents were pitched in Muthi, Mishriwal, Purkhoo and Nagrota, Udhampur for the migrants and lot of migrant families were accommodated by the people of Jammu in their own houses on rental basis but over all situation was very deplorable, pathetic and it was a like a bolt from blue for them as everything went in shambles and with in no time they become homeless, bankrupt and got far away from their ancestral roots. This was the darkest and toughest era for them as they had never imagined so in their entire life that such a destructive situation could emerge out for them. There also general perception among them that the normalcy in Kashmir may return within six months or in a year or so and they woul be again able to move back to their homes and hearths but unfortunately despite passing more than thirty four years in exile, no such environment and atmosphere has created in valley so that this micro minority community is resettled back there with honor and dignity.
What happened to Kashmiri Pandits in 1990 and after that ?
It is very painful to say that soon after the forceful exodus of five Lakh kashmiri Pandits from the entire valley, their houses were either set on fire or dismantled by anti nationals and Pro Pakistan elements who were having upper hand in the valley and wanted to make Kashmir a part of Pakistan in 1990 and Pro Islamic State. A land mafia came into existence in the same year who started quickly an illegal encroachment drive on lands of Temples, shrines, agriculture lands of migrants every where in Kashmir valley where Kashmiri Pandits used to live and with in years the demography was completely changed under the nose of the then Government despite Immovable Migrant Act 1997 was in place. Top most politicians, Bureaucrats, MLAs of Jammu and Kashmir were & are hand in glove with land grabbers and facilitated land grabbing on migrant property throwing all winds to this migrant law which was enacted in 1997 to preserve, protect, retrieve and restore migrant properties in valley.
The drastic demographic change took place in last more than thirty four years in Kashmir especially in those hamlets where Kashmiri Pandits used to live and the illegal encroachments,land grabbing is still continuing and there is no progress on removal of illegal encroachments on migrants lands under immovable Migrant property act 1997. Most of the Kashmiri Pandits show grave concern over the encroachment of shrines, temples and private as well as agriculture land of this displaced community by land Mafia and anti social elements in Kashmir valley who are working with the patronage and support of some revenue officers/officials. Immovable Migrant Property worth crores seek implementation of the migrant law 1997 in letter and spirit as well revamping of Migrant Grievance portal with firm accountability. All the Dy. Commissioners under this Migrant Property Act, 1997 were made the sole custodians for this immovable property to safeguard, preserve, protect and restore the illegally occupied land from the land encroachers but unfortunately despite passing more than thirty four years in exile, the illegal occupation of migrant land, shrines, temples has not been removed and is still continuing with active involvement of some corrupt officers/officials within the system in collaboration with land grabbers who are still rolling the roost. Countless Migrants are presently running from pillar to post in Kashmir Valley in various revenue courts for want of disposal of their grievances braving great threat to their lives but all in vain and a great mental harassment is being meted out by them there.[Also you can read about Immovable Migrant Property Act, 1997]. The Displaced Community is still living in deplorable conditions in Camps/non-camps in Jammu ^& many other parts of the country without proper permanent place of residence. They are facing countless problems in exile on many fronts of basic needs as well bear the brunt of scorching heat of summer season.
A Migrant Grievance Portal was constituted two years back which yielded rich output and thousand kanals of land was retrieved and restored from illegal occupants and land grabbers but unfortunately this portal has become now defunct for some time due to biased approach of some corrupt officers/officials. There is general demand emerging out from this displaced community that this Migrant Grievance Portal needs to be revived immediately for retrieving and restoring the migrant land from illegal occupants and land grabbers with strict accountability at the highest level on war footing so that it can pave a way for their settlement back in valley with honour and dignity which their ultimate desire and wish as no one wants to leave his or her motherland at any cost or remain far away from their roots, culture and civilization.
Conclude :
The entire community of Kashmiri Pandits is in search of Permanent settlement back in valley with honour and dignity keeping in view all the security parameters after formulation of a tangible & concrete rehabilitation Policy in consultation with the Community leaders so that their forced exodus ends once for all but all their private and agriculture lands, land of temples and shrines be evicted from illegal occupants and land grabbers on war footing so that after their return, they must be able to use their immovable properties as per their requirement. The majority community, civil society of Kashmir must also now play a constructive role with honesty in facilitating the honorable return of Kashmiri Pandits back in valley by paving a way in creating a suitable atmosphere in entire valley to strengthen the secular fabric of Jammu and Kashmir for which it was known world wide before 1990 as we all live in world's largest Democratic country, India where people of different faiths live with communal harmony, brotherhood, peace and prosperity. [Read more about resettlement of Kashmiri pandits]
Lastly I would like say that united community stands, divided it falls,
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4 Comments
A true story of Kashmiri pandits
ReplyDeleteWell done 👍🏻 I'm pretty sure that all the kasheers will love this article.... 💜🤝🏻
ReplyDeleteFantastic job 👏 👍 👌
ReplyDeleteHeart touching blog
ReplyDelete