Mehbooba Mufti assures Kashmiri Pandits of her government's commitment to bring them home

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti visited several camps of Kashmiri migrants in Jammu on Tuesday, to extend greetings on the forthcoming Shivratri festival on Friday.

Accompanied by Minister for Revenue, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction and Disaster Management, Abdul Rehman Veeri, the chief minister visited Purkhoo, Muthi, Nagrota and Buta Nagar camps, besides Jagti township.

Interacting with inhabitants there, Mufti said Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part of Kashmir's society and the inclusive ethos for which the state has been known for ages is incomplete without them. She said their Muslim brethren in Kashmir are eagerly awaiting their return back to their native places. She said and her government is committed to bring Kashmiri Pandits back home.

Several people raised demands for participating in panchayat and municipal elections so that they work for the betterment of their localities. Mufti assured them that "the government would positively consider their demands."

Mufti also said she had already directed the opening of Fair Price Shops at these camps for easy disbursal of relief periodically so inhabitants there don't face any hardships. She said the other demands of increased accommodation, renovation and sanitation would also be looked into by the government on priority.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister took an on the spot appraisal of the facilities being provided to migrants at these places. She said her government would take all possible steps for the welfare of the community and for betterment of conditions at their places.

Touched by the gesture of the Chief Minister, Pandits living at these places received Mufti warmly in traditional Kashmiri style.