Congress slams Yasin Malik's statement on Kashmir Pandits

Congress leader PL Punia on Wednesday criticized separatist leader Yasin Malik's statement on Kashmiri Pandits and said that any effort made for their resettlement should be welcomed.

"Yasin Malik has given a statement on Kashmiri Pandits. Who is he to give such statements? Kashmiri Pandits are natives of the land, they had to leave because of the circumstances. If something is being done for their resettlement then everyone should welcome it," Punia told ANI here.

"Ever since these two parties (the BJP and PDP) have collaborated to form the government, there have been such problems........The government should strictly act in this regard," he added.

The Congress leader was reacting to Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik's statement in which he said that government's move to create a separate colony in the state for Kashmiri Pandits would only result in building walls of hatred, just like Israel.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has accepted the demand for creating separate zones for Kashmir Pandits in the state.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sayeed had assured Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh that his government would immediately start the process for creating the zones.