J&K govt regrets order seeking info of Pandits going for pilgrimage

It wanted the migrants to list name, parentage, age, sex, destination and dates of departures

: Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday expressed regret over an order asking Kashmiri migrant Pandits in Jammu to fill a ‘consent form’ before commencing pilgrimage to some religious places in Kashmir.

After the directive evoked anger among some Pandits, minister for relief and rehabilitation Javaid Mustafa Mir said the order issued by Jammu deputy commissioner (relief), K K Sidha was a ‘mistake’. Mir said the officer will be attached and also an enquiry has started into the conduct of the officer.

“I came to know about it on Monday in secretariat. The notice was issued in Jammu, three days back. Since the government is here, I take full responsibility as a minister that I am not aware but it is simultaneously the mistake of the officer as well that he did not inform my private office or the administrative office,” Mir said at a press conference.

Sidha had issued a notice on May 10 asking all the “Kashmiri migrants desirous of undertaking pilgrimage to Mata Kheer Bhawani (Ganderbal), Tikker(Kupwara), Manzgam(Kulgam), Mattan (Anantnag) in the current year on the ensuing Zeshta Ashtami, which falls on June 20 to provide their consent” on a given format. The format wanted the migrants to list name, parentage, age, sex, mode of transport, destination, and dates of departures from Jammu as well as from Kashmir.

“Kashmiri migrants are sons of the soil. They need not to register or be scrutinised. Whenever they want to come or go, they need not ask us. If we question them on entry or exit, it is wrong. As a minister, it is unacceptable though the mistake has been done by one of my officers, I sincerely and honesty regret. It has sent a bad signal,” Mir said.

When asked about the officer’s motives, the minister said he could comment only after the enquiry.

“Formally we have ordered an enquiry into it. I can’t say deliberately, as a minister I won’t hold him responsible for that because he belongs to the same Kashmiri Pandit community. But the enquiry will bring forth his intention,”

When questioned whether the officer had issued the order keeping in mind the security concerns, the minister said the security has always been enhanced when religious activities happen.

The order issued by Jammu DC (relief) KK Sidha, was a ‘mistake’. The officer will be attached and also an enquiry has been launched to probe the conduct of the officer. JAVAID MUSTAFA MIR , minister for relief and rehabilitation