PDP-BJP combine must fulfill promise on Kashmiri Pandits rehabilitation: Chacko

Congress leader P.C. Chacko on Thursday said that proposed rehabilitation program for Kashmiri Pandits by the Jammu and Kashmir government should be implemented at the earliest, adding that the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led state must also provide them a safe and inclusive environment.

"The rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits is a promise of the Central government and of the state government: the PDP and the BJP. The state government must take all possible steps to provide a safe and inclusive environment for the Kashmiri Pandits," Chacko told ANI.

"If they are unable to implement then they have to explain their failure to the people. I believe that a resettlement program should be implemented and any objections from all sides should be settled. The rehabilitation program should be implemented at the earliest," he added.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that he will take all the stake holders in confidence before accepting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's request of creating separate zones for Kashmiri Pandits in the state.

Mufti's statement came after he had earlier on Tuesday assured Rajnath Singh that his government has accepted the demand for creating separate zones for Kashmiri Pandits in the state.