Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 28

The Panun Kashmir, a frontal organisation of 3.50 lakh displaced Hindus of Kashmir, on Thursday called upon the Central government to treat displacement of Pandits as a political issue.

Reiterating the demand for creation of Union Territory in North and East of the Jhelum in the Valley for their permanent rehabilitation, Pandit representatives said it was the only way to do justice to lakhs of people.

Addressing a joint press conference, the Panun Kashmir and Kashmiri Samiti Delhi urged the Central government to realise that the existing policy on “genocide and religious cleansing” of Hindus and internal displacement has led to misery and marginalisation of the community.

“It is high time to abandon this policy and recognise our displacement as the issue of reversal of genocide. Creation of a UT in the Valley for the permanent rehabilitation is only way to end our plight,” said Agnishekhar, convener of the Panun Kashmir.

Both organisations urged the Centre and the state administration to allow the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to pursue the investigation of funding of separatist and militant groups.

“We strongly urge the new administration to order a thorough probe into the penetration of radical elements in the administration and mainstream political parties. Radical indoctrination and subversion in the state and have managed to receive immense patronisation of political class,” claimed Ajay Chrangoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir.