JAMMU, Feb 19 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stated on Thursday that ensuring the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley with full dignity and security is a firm commitment of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Speaking at the release of a book on the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, the LG, as per the news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), remarked that the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory had attempted to suppress the truth. He, however, affirmed that the administration is actively working to liberate the region from terrorism.
“The anguish of the 1989–90 massacre of Kashmiri Pandits by terrorists runs so profoundly deep that even the balm of time has failed to soothe it. The torment of abandoning homes overnight, of being uprooted from one’s roots, lingers like thorns in the veins of displaced families even today,” Sinha said.
He informed that in 2021, a dedicated web portal was launched to facilitate the recovery of houses and lands belonging to the Kashmiri Pandit community that had been encroached upon.
The LG stated that the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 led to the full integration of J&K with the Union of India and instilled faith among the younger generation of the community that they could reclaim their roots without fear.
“Jammu and Kashmir has been undergoing a profound transformation since 2019. The sinister plot of the adversary to destroy the dreams and destiny of the people of the UT has been decisively dismantled. Through tireless effort, this land’s ancient glory has been restored, and development has been accelerated. Very soon, this soil will be completely freed from the scourge of terrorism,” the LG added.
He was speaking at the launch of the book Kashmir: Nativity Regained, authored by Prof. Ashok Kaul, which explores the Kashmiri Pandit exodus and captures the events surrounding the migration.
The LG described the book as a laudable effort to shatter the silence that has shrouded the collective consciousness for decades and a poignant reminder of the community’s resilience. He saluted the spirit of the community, noting that displaced families preserved their philosophy, culture, and traditions even in adversity.
Sinha also addressed the impact of terrorism on the broader population, noting that Pakistan-backed terrorists had spilled the blood of thousands of innocent Kashmiri Muslims. “Justice has begun flowing to those families since last year, with efforts underway to fulfil their employment needs alongside other essentials,” he said. (KNS)
