KASHMIR PANDITS

KASHMIR PANDITS

Displaced Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) who migrated away from Kashmir Vally   after emergence of militancy there in 1990 had left behind 23278 structures and 10112 acres of ancestral land. Even as the state government proposed to set up cluster homes in Kashmir for return and rehabilitation of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley, the state Revenue and Relief department data showed the KPs had left behind 23278 structures including, houses, cow-sheds, shops and other buildings. Of these, 4083 structures were left behind by KPs in Srinagar district, followed by 2669 houses in Anantnag, 2099 houses in Budgam district, 1096 houses in Pulwama district, 908 in Baramulla district and 784 in Kupawara district. 

They had also left behind 80898 Kanals (10112 Acres) of agriculture and orchard land, according to the data. The state cabinet has recently approved a proposal of Rs 20 lakh package under group housing plan for construction of houses under Return and Rehabilitation Policy   and submitted it to the Centre for approval. The new plan will be on the group housing pattern under cooperative housing society as in Jagti township in Jammu. As many as 4600 families have expressed their willingness for return to the Valley.

Prof. John Kurakar