PTI By

SRINAGAR: Controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rasheed today opposed the Centre's package of 3000 jobs and accommodation for migrant Kashmiri Pandits, terming it as an act of "provoking" Muslims in the Valley, demanded that efforts to rehabilitate them should be stopped.

He said the Central and Jammu and Kashmir governments should instead focus on the Muslims who upheld the Indian flag in the Valley despite their "unbelievable sufferings".

"From Ikhwanis (counter-insurgents) to NC (National Conference) workers and from police jawans to informers of security agencies, it was Kashmiri Muslims who, despite being hated by a huge majority of Kashmiris for their acts, fought and sacrificed their lives for upholding the Indian Flag in Kashmir.

"It is Kashmiri Muslims and people of Chenab and Pirpanjal regions who deserve the packages for their unbelievable sufferings but the Central government is provoking them by treating Kashmiri Pandits like very important citizens," he said while addressing a gathering in Sopore town, about 50 kms from here.

Rashid, who had triggered a major controversy two months back by holding a beef party, said it was the Kashmiri Muslims who had suffered the worst at the hands of state and non-state actors.

"Their children were deprived of education due to turmoil and used as human shields in encounters and were subjected to forced labour for more than 15 years. These Kashmiri Pandits didn't care about Kashmir which they have been calling Matrabhumi (motherland)," he said.

Rashid asked the central and state governments to "wind up the industry established for so-called rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits" and appealed to the Kashmiri leaders to give up their personal agendas and egos to protect the rights of Muslim majority community in the state.

The Union Cabinet yesterday cleared a proposal for providing 3000 jobs and 6000 transitional accommodation to Kashmiri migrants in the Valley.