Jammu, Aug 11 (Inditop.com) Kashmiri Pandits are overjoyed at the announcement of 15,000 jobs for community members who migrated from the Kashmir Valley due to the threat of militancy, but many others who too had to leave their homes under similar circumstances are feeling discriminated against.
In the Jammu and Kashmir 2009-2010 budget presented to the state assembly in Srinagar Monday, the Omar Abdullah government brought good news for Kashmiri Pandits who have for long been demanding jobs.
Virender Koul, 29, who is a graduate, said the government has done something that was long overdue. “The community has suffered a great deal,” he said, adding he had been running from pillar to post to secure a job.
“I hope the government will live up to its promise.”
More than 350,000 Kashmiri Pandits migrated from the valley, beginning in 1990, for fear of Islamic militants after the killing of some community members. They have been living in Jammu and other cities of the country ever since and have been asking the state and the central governments for employment packages for them.
Shadi Lal Kotru, a Kashmiri Pandit in his mid-30s, said while enlisting people for jobs priority should be given to those approaching 37 – the age limit for securing government jobs.
But other communities – Hindus other than Kashmiri Pandits, as well as Muslims – are angry that there is no such job provision for them.
In particular, refugees from the hilly areas of Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch who also had to flee under the threat of militancy wanted to know why they had been ignored for similar job packages.
“Why should the government discriminate between one set of migrants and others?” asked Surinder Singh Manhas of Doda district.
He, along with several others from his area in Bhaderwah, had to flee after militants started threatening Hindus who are in a minority in the state.
Migrants from the hilly areas of Jammu – who will not benefit from the package – pointed out that Kashmiri Pandit migrants were anyway given relief of Rs.3,500 per month, free rations and free accommodation and now jobs too had been listed for them.
“We are at the mercy of god almighty,” bemoaned Ashok Kumar of Kalakote area of Rajouri district.
rounak