Kashmiri Pandit Migrants extend support to NC Candidates in Lok Sabha Polls

Terrorism on rise in Jammu region under BJP regime: Sadhotra, Rattan Lal Gupta 

JAMMU May 6^th: The JKNC Core Committee of Kashmiri Pandit Migrants from Camps in Jagti, Muthi, Nagrota, Buta Nagar, along with non-camp residents in Jammu, today affirmed their unwavering support to the National Conference candidates contesting for the Lok Sabha Polls in Jammu and Kashmir. This significant endorsement underscores the solidarity of the Kashmiri Pandit community in shaping the region’s political landscape.

In this context, Core Committee leaders of Kashmiri Pandit Migrants met with Ajay KumarSadhotra, Additional General Secretary, JKNC, and former minister and Rattan Lal Gupta Advocate, Provincial President JKNC Jammu, at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan in Jammu to address the various challenges confronting the migrant community.

The KP migrant leaders highlighted the pressing issues faced by the Kashmiri migrant community residing in Jagti, Purkhoo, Muthi, Buta Nagar, Nagrota, camps, and non-camp migrants settled across Jammu region, particularly emphasizing the absence of basic amenities. 

They underscored the substantial contributions made by the National Conference, including the provision of PM employment package for over-aged youth of migrants, increased cash assistance and construction of residential accomodation in different camps during their tenure, etc. they asserted that the present dispensation has gave only hollow slogans and did nothing for their welfare.

Expressing their resolve to support only such political party which has a proven track record of serving the common masses as well as the Kashmiri Pandit migrant community, the leaders announced their full support to Omar Abdullah from Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Aga Syed Rahullah from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency and Mian Altaf Ahmed from Anantnag- Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency.

Speaking on the occasion, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra emphasized that the National Conference has consistently advocated for the rights and welfare of Kashmiri migrants in the Parliament. Under the NC regime, an Apex Body was established to effectively address and resolve their issues, reflecting the party’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the displaced community.

The former minister asked the Govt at the Centre to reveal what steps have been taken by it for welfare of Migrants community in last ten years of its rule. He said that it is really unfortunate that despite increased cost of living amid sky rocketing prices and peak inflation the cash assistance being paid to the Kashmiri Migrants has not been enhanced for the past so many years. He said that the National Conference will remain steadfast in their dedication to advocating for justice, dignity, and equality for all Kashmiri migrants, and will continue to work tirelessly towards the realization of these principles.

Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President, in his address, has asserted that National Conference has always stood for the cause of Kashmiri Migrants and shall continue the same for all times to come. He said that the BJP Govt had made promises to rehabilitate the KP migrants in the Valley but these proved to be a cruel joke as no steps were taken in this direction since 2014.

Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President JKNC Jammu, strongly criticized the hollow claims of the BJP Government regarding peace in the Union Territory, highlighting the ongoing presence of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed profound sorrow over the martyrdom of an IAF warrior in the Surankote terror attack. 

Gupta lamented that during the National Conference regime, both Rajouri and Poonch districts remained terrorism-free. However, he noted with concern the recent rise in terrorism activities across the Jammu region, citing three terrorism incidents including killing of Govt official in Rajouri’s Kunda Top near Shahdara Sharief on April 22, killing of Village Defence Guard Mohd Sharief in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur on April 28 and May 4 in Surankote in the last 15 days which seems to be a matter of serious concern.

The Provincial President appealed to the migrant community to strengthen the hands of Dr. Farooq Abdullah by supporting all three candidates of the National Conference from the Kashmir valley comprising Omar Abdullah from Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency; Aga Syed Rahullah from Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency and Mian Altaf Ahmed from Anantnag – Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency, in the Lok Sabha polls in Kashmir.

Among those who were present include: Jatin Bhat, Ashok Koul, Kaka Ji Bhan, Sumita Bhan, Ravinder Raina, Rattan Lal, Veer Ji Bhat, Varinder Pandita, Saniya Bhan and others.