In the backdrop of the National Conference, Peoples Development Party and Congress batting for talks with all stakeholders in Kashmir, including Hurriyat Conference, a BJP lawmaker today demanded talks with Panun Kashmir as KPs are the equal stakeholders.
While speaking on the Governor's Address in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar said in order to have an honourable and dignified return of Kashmir Pandits as mentioned in the Governor's speech, it is imperative that a dialogue process with the "frontal" Kashmir Pandit organisation Panun Kashmir be started at the earliest.
This is for the first time any political party has advocated issue of talks with Panun Kashmir, an organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits advocating carving out a separate "homeland" with union territory status in Kashmir valley for seven lakh Kashmiri Pandits.
"There needs to be a definite policy on the return of the KPs and there can't be adhoc Policies, so it is this context that in a process to formulate a definite policy on the return of displaced community, there should be a dialogue process initiation with the representatives of the community, primarily with Panun Kashmir," the BJP MLC said.
He also appreciated the efforts of the government on changing the youth narrative by working on the perceptional management of the youth of the state and Kashmir in particular.
The present dispensation is going to expose them (youth) to liberalism, self reliance as is reflected in the Governor's speech, he added.
(Reopens NRG 40)
Various legislators participated in the discussion on Motion of Thanks on the Governor's address in the upper house of the state legislature in the J-K Legislative Council.
NC MLC Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo while stressing on reviewing the policies of the government said that responsibility of the Kashmir unrest lies on all political factions and that a progressive approach is required to bring peace in the state.
Kichloo welcomed government's endeavour towards resolution of conflict through dialogue and urged early implementation of the Agenda of Alliance.
PDP MLC Surinder Kumar Choudhary said that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was working towards bringing peace and harmony in the state amidst multiple challenges. He supported the government's policy to extend support to displaced persons of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (1947).
NC MLC Qaiser Jamsheed Lone said the public concerns regarding excessive use of force in the recent unrest should be looked into besides focus on proper rehabilitation and counselling for people affected due to the unrest.
Congress MLC Sham Lal Bhagat welcomed youth policy and urged the government to look into the issues of daily wagers, casual labourers and ST forest dwellers.
He showed concerns regarding delays in holding elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions and hoped that government will be able to fulfil its resolve of holding Panchayat elections by March 2017.
