Kashmiri Pandits hold protest in support of hike in relief

Over 200 displaced Pandit activists sat in a dharna at Nagrota and held protests amid sloganeering in support of their demand for enhancement of relief money from Rs 4,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.

"The government should immediately enhance the monthly relief to the Kashmiri migrants, who were forced to leave their homes in Kashmir valley and are living in miserable conditions in different parts of Jammu province", BJP MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma told reporters here as he sat with the agitating migrants.

The migrants who are totally dependent on the government relief have been the worst sufferers, Sharma said, adding that Rs 41.56 was being paid as relief per member in a family "is a cruel joke as this meagre amount cannot buy even a one-time meal for a person, leave aside other daily needs".

Extending full support to the demand of the Kashmiri migrants, the MLA said that their relief should be enhanced and it should be at least Rs 120 per day.

Sharma said that 22 years ago, Pak-trained terrorists had let lose a reign of terror in the valley and had targeted the Kashmiri Pandits forcing them to leave their home and land in Kashmir.

"Many innocent people were killed and property worth crores of rupees burnt to ashes. No one was feeling secure as a result of which Kashmiri Hindus in particular had to migrate en mass to escape their liquidation at the hands of the terrorists", Sharma said.

He said that after their migration, thousands of families have been putting up with miserable conditions in rented accommodations and migrants camps.

With the passing of time and least avenues for employment, he said, many families have even left the state.