Jammu, Sep 23 (KNS): Senior Kashmiri Pandit (KP) leaders on Wednesday urged the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to address the "genuine problems" of displaced Kashmiri migrants, saying the community has been living in exile for more than 37 years.

In a joint statement issued to the Kashmir News Service (KNS), Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj General Secretary M K Yogi and Jammu and Kashmir Displaced Kashmiri Pandit Front president and social activist Vinod Pandita appealed to the Government of India, Union Home Minister, Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to take up the issues of displaced Kashmiri migrants on priority and on humanitarian grounds.

They said the community was facing problems on several fronts and sought their early resolution "for the sake of justice and equity".

Among their demands, the leaders sought enhancement of the monthly relief assistance from the existing Rs 13,000 to Rs 25,000, citing the rise in prices of essential commodities.

They also demanded creation and advertisement of 20,000 new posts for educated unemployed displaced youth and sought a concrete return and rehabilitation policy for Kashmiri Pandits to facilitate their return to the Valley with dignity and honour within a time-bound period.

The leaders further demanded construction of additional quarters for migrants living on rent in Jammu and other parts of the country and sought implementation of the Migrant Property Act, 1997, in "true letter and spirit".Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Yogi and Pandita also appealed to the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, J&K, to undertake repair and renovation of migrant quarters at Jagti and other camps in Jammu on a fast-track basis, citing their dilapidated condition.

They sought allotment of quarters to all PM Package employees working in the Kashmir Valley, along with proper boundary walls, security arrangements and parking facilities. They also demanded shopping complexes and children's parks at such locations.

The leaders sought fast-track allotment of remaining shops to deserving migrants at Jagti township and early finalisation of deserving revalidation cases that are currently under process, saying these measures would provide relief to the affected members of the community.

Yogi and Pandita reiterated their appeal for a humanitarian review of all the issues raised by them and sought their early resolution.

The demands were also endorsed by social activists Virender Ganjoo, Jyoti Dhar (advocate), Sanjay Raina, Inderjit Raina, Dazy Dhar, Meenakshi, Bal Krishan Bhat, Shuban Ji Raina, Sahil Pandita, Sushma Dhar and others.(KNS)