Squatters to be evicted from homes meant for Kashmiri Pandit-migrants
In what is sure to bring joy to persecuted Kashmiri Pandits, the administration of the newly-formed Jammu and Kashmir union territory has issued show-cause notices to those occupying apartments meant for them. As per HT, at least 100 illegal occupants have been put on a deadline and the government plans to evict them from government-owned apartments to hand it over to deserving owners.
In 1990, scared Kashmiri Pandits left their homes
The exodus of Kashmiri Pandits is a black blot in India's history. In 1990, Hindu families residing in Kashmir were threatened, abused, and fearing for their lives, they left the Valley. On the night of January 19, 1990, loudspeakers in mosques announced how Pandits didn't belong there. In the slogans, India was slammed while Pakistan, celebrated. Between 1990 and 1992, over 70,000 people left.
Last August, J&K lost its special status and statehood
This new development comes months after Article 370 was abrogated by the BJP-led Centre. While introducing the Bill in the parliament, the saffron party said J&K has struggled enough due to terrorism sponsored by Pakistan. The northernmost state was also bifurcated into two Union Territories and Kashmir was put under lockdown. The restrictions haven't been completely lifted even after months.
It's a beginning, said top official
Over the last few decades, there has been a huge demand to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandits. And the government took one step in this direction. "We have issued a notification after we found that 93 flats have been occupied in violation of norms. It's a beginning. These flats are locked out since long," said relief commissioner (migrants) TK Bhat.
Flats were illegally occupied in Muthi, Nagrota, and Purkhoo: Bhat
"During an extensive exercise undertaken by the officers of the relief organization, it emerged that 93 flats in Kashmiri migrants' colonies and camps at Muthi, Nagrota, Purkhoo and mini township Jagti have been found to be illegally occupied by the people," he added.
Some Kashmiri migrants are still relying on cash relief
The squatters have been asked to reply by March 10. They have to explain in writing why their allotments should not be canceled. President of the Jagti Tenement committee in Nagrota, Shadi Lal Pandita, explained only Kashmiri migrants, who were terrorized decades ago, are entitled to these flats. "There are many Pandit families who are dependent on cash relief," he said.
'Deserving ones, not those who have houses, should be considered'
"Some have constructed their own houses and are living in them but at the same time, there are migrants living in rented accommodations and sustaining their lives on government relief. They are the deserving cases but are suffering," Pandita added.
Families have grown bigger, they should be given accommodation: Pandita
Further, Pandita said initially the migrant families were given two-room flats that nestled a room, a small lobby, a kitchen, and a washroom. But over the years, the families have grown bigger. Saying that flats, that haven't been occupied, should be given to deserving people, Pandita added, "These are the families having old and ailing members and some among them are battling cancer."
