LG calls for proactive steps to facilitate return of Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz on Monday welcomed the initiative taken by the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to valley.

Mr Sinha has urged officials to take pro-active steps for the return of members of the pandit community who migrated in early 90s following eruption of militancy to different parts of the country.

Prof Soz said, 'I welcome Mr Sinha's statement urging officials to take pro-active steps for the return of Kashmiri Pandits to their home and hearth.

'I, however, regret to say that instead of urging officials to take positive steps for the return of Kashmiri Pandits, he should have asked Kashmir's political mainstream to suggest their opinion on effective steps required to facilitate return of the Kashmiri Pandits', the Congress leader said in a statement here this afternoon.

He expressed hope that Mr Sinha knows that Kashmir political mainstream has always supported the initiative taken by the concerned quarters for return of the Kashmiri Pandits without whom the very concept of Kashmiriat was imperfect.

He urged Mr Sinha to convene a meeting of Kashmir mainstream politicians to discuss the effective measures that can be taken to facilitate the return of Kashmiri Pandits.

'I further want to stress that the return of Kashmiri Pandits would be the most substantial measure to promote social harmony that is essentially the Kashmiriyat', he said. (UNI)