The Hindu : New Delhi News : Kashmiri Pandits see a ray of hope

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Kashmiri Pandits see a ray of hope

Staff Correspondent

Talks with Pakistan welcomed

NEW DELHI: The displaced Kashmiri Pandits have welcomed the initiatives taken by India and Pakistan towards resolving the outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, between the two countries but expressed disappointment over their "exclusion'' from the peace process.

The All India Kashmiri Samaj, an apex organisation of Kashmiri Pandits in India and abroad, has described the talks as a welcome steps towards the return of peace in the Valley and said that the people of Kashmir believe in peaceful negotiations and had always refrained from adopting a "hardline attitude''.

"However, India should also have taken up the cause of the Kashmiri Pandits with the Pakistani President, General Pervez Musharraf during the meetings,'' Shiban Dudha, political advisor of the Samaj told The Hindu on Monday.

Spotting a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel, the Samaj that has been minutely watching the developments, feels the developments could lead to the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. "However, it needs to be pointed out that the Government was equipped to highlight the issue of terrorist killings, it did little precious to stress on the plight of the displaced people of all shades,'' Mr. Dudha said.

A similar reaction came from the All India Kashmiri Pandit Conference, which said that none could reject prospects of peace. The Government thought of inviting film stars for Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh's dinner over the weekend but totally forgot to represent the displaced community, the Conference president, H.N. Jattu said.

Sunil Shakdher of Kashmiri Samiti also said that All Party Hurriyat Conference was not the sole representative of the Kashmiri people as was being made to appear. There are other communities also whose aspirations have to be considered, he added.

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