PDP opposed facilities for displacing Pandits, says Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Sunday accused opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of opposing facilities for displaced Kashmiri Pandits, saying it derived "sadistic pleasure" from people's problems.

Addressing a public meeting here, Abdullah, the president of the National Conference, alleged the PDP is "deriving sadistic pleasure from festering wounds of people" and "is indulging in deceit and shedding crocodile tears to flourish its political enterprise".

"PDP has stung every section of the society," he said, referring to the "negative and deceitful" role of the PDP on creating facilities for the displaced people in Jammu.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti had put forth a strange logic during a roundtable conference chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh where creation of facilities for people displaced from the Valley was discussed, he said.

"The PDP president disapproved of creating facilities for the camp dwellers by stating that if humane conditions were made available in migrant camps, the people residing there will find themselves in comfort zone and show disinclination towards returning back.

"Such a sadistic approach reflects PDP's mindset towards the people whom they want only to suffer so that their political enterprise keeps running," he said.

He said his government is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to create conducive situation in the Valley for dignified and safe return of Kashmiri Pandits alongside improving living conditions in camps till their return.

Identifying himself with the Kashmiri Pandit community, the chief minister said he was not ignorant about their deep yearning for returning back to their home and hearth when the situation becomes conducive for it.

"Till that time, we will do everything possible to ensure that the displaced people get all the facilities necessary for leading a dignified life," he said.

He also referred to initiatives already taken for rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits under the prime minister's package which, inter allia, involves jobs for migrant youth.

Abdullah hoped the people will make a conscious use of their vote. "You have to make a choice between those who sincerely want to solve your problems and those who use every opportunity in exploiting your conditions," he said.