"In presence of Mufti saab (former CM Mufti Mohammed Sayed), we had discussed and he said that Kashmiri Pandits will be provided land for rehabilitation.
"After him, we have talked to Mehbooba Mufti (J and K Chief Minister) and she too has agreed to the composite colonies (proposal). She said she too wants that Kashmiri Pandits come (to JK) and there is no problem in having composite colonies. If along with Pandits, some Sikhs and Muslims even live here then what is the problem?" he said in an interview to a news channel.
"Stone pelting incidents which means incidents of stone throwing that used to happen, have declined by 50 per cent and as far as the question of rehabilitation is concerned we are moving in that direction. But we have to work in cooperation with the state government in this regard," he said.
On the issue of raising of ISIS flags in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the terror group will not be able to have any influence in India.
He said fringe elements are raising flags in J-K.
With a focus on rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants in the Valley, the Centre recently had asked the state government to share "complete details" of the land identified for the plan.
The state government had earlier this month informed the Centre that it had identified three areas for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants especially 62,000 Kashmiri Pandit families who had to leave the Valley following the onset of militancy in early 1990s.
The move comes notwithstanding the strike call given by separatists who are opposed to separate colonies for Kashmiri Pandits.
The Narendra Modi government had kept the rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants on top of its agenda and had sanctioned Rs 500 crore in its first budget itself.
The Agenda of Alliance, which is considered the backbone of the PDP-BJP coalition government in the state, also mentions rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants in the Valley as part of their common minimum programme.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
