07-23-2005, 02:00 AM
<b>Jaiswal proposes minority commission for Kashmiri pandits</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->New Delhi | July 21, 2005 8:21:19 PM IST
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sri Prakash Jaiswal, today proposed a minorities commission for Jammu and Kashmir, which would focus on rehabilitating displaced Kashmiri Hindus.
He further said that efforts would also be made to issue identity cards to the minorities including displaced Kashmiri Hindus.
<b>"We will try to provide I-cards. We will ask the State Government to work towards bringing the minority commission in existence soon. There is nothing hidden and it will be held openly. There is no hidden agreement," Jaiswal said after meeting representatives of the Kashmiri Hindus and members of the National Minorities Commission in New Delhi.</b>
The meeting came two days after a historic meet between Hurriyat leaders and the displaced Hindus for the first time in 16 years after "Pandits", were forced to flee the bitterly disputed territory amidst violence by Islamic rebels.
<b>According to the National Human Rights Commission, about 300,000 Pandits have been forced to leave Kashmir because of the rebellion</b>.
<b>While some Kashmiri Hindus have made their way to Delhi and other parts of the country, about 200,000 Pandits who left their homes are still languishing in Jammu</b>.
Jaiswal also welcomed the Hurriyat's initiative to hold talks with Pandits.
"The more the Hurriyat holds discussions with the Kashmiri Hindus and other such minority groups, the more it would help to reach conclusions. There should be more meeting between Hurriyat and Kashmiri Hindus, including the immigrants. It will help in ameliorating the situation in Kashmir," Jaiswal said.
Pandits have been living in dingy refugee camps or in shanties in northern Indian cities, after they fled the bloody rebellion in the picturesque valley. Pandits have accused the Centre of neglecting their development and demand centrally administered zones in Kashmir for their community. (ANI)
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sri Prakash Jaiswal, today proposed a minorities commission for Jammu and Kashmir, which would focus on rehabilitating displaced Kashmiri Hindus.
He further said that efforts would also be made to issue identity cards to the minorities including displaced Kashmiri Hindus.
<b>"We will try to provide I-cards. We will ask the State Government to work towards bringing the minority commission in existence soon. There is nothing hidden and it will be held openly. There is no hidden agreement," Jaiswal said after meeting representatives of the Kashmiri Hindus and members of the National Minorities Commission in New Delhi.</b>
The meeting came two days after a historic meet between Hurriyat leaders and the displaced Hindus for the first time in 16 years after "Pandits", were forced to flee the bitterly disputed territory amidst violence by Islamic rebels.
<b>According to the National Human Rights Commission, about 300,000 Pandits have been forced to leave Kashmir because of the rebellion</b>.
<b>While some Kashmiri Hindus have made their way to Delhi and other parts of the country, about 200,000 Pandits who left their homes are still languishing in Jammu</b>.
Jaiswal also welcomed the Hurriyat's initiative to hold talks with Pandits.
"The more the Hurriyat holds discussions with the Kashmiri Hindus and other such minority groups, the more it would help to reach conclusions. There should be more meeting between Hurriyat and Kashmiri Hindus, including the immigrants. It will help in ameliorating the situation in Kashmir," Jaiswal said.
Pandits have been living in dingy refugee camps or in shanties in northern Indian cities, after they fled the bloody rebellion in the picturesque valley. Pandits have accused the Centre of neglecting their development and demand centrally administered zones in Kashmir for their community. (ANI)
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->