NATION | Jammu & Kashmir
Peace incomplete if Kashmiri Pandits feel they can’t live in Valley again: Mehbooba Mufti
Jammu, Feb. 22: Asking displaced Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) to pray for peace on Mahashivratri, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Wednesday that the peace will remain elusive unless and until Pandits do not feel that they will be able to live in the Kashmir Valley “again”.
“Even after we hold talks (with Pakistan), reopen roads between two sides, Kashmir will remain incomplete and peace in Kashmir is incomplete, unless and until KPs do not feel that they will able to live in Kashmir again,” Ms Mufti said.
“That is real test to us,” the chief minister told Kashmiri Pandits at the Jagti camp. “Please pray on holy night of Shivratri to create peace in Kashmir so that all migrants could return to their homes and hearths with respect and dignity,” she said.
“It is big need of the time that you return back to your roots with respect”, Mehbooba said. “Kashmir has lagged behind due to your migration from the Valley. You were our assets. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs –all are big treasure of brotherhood and composite culture,” she said. “We lost it in Kashmir, it has come up in Jammu,” she added.