Kashmiri Pandits return hinges on security conditions: CM

Jammu, Apr 1: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said the return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley depends on restoration of a secure environment, asserting that the government continues to prioritise protection of their religious sites.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during a discussion on a private member’s bill, the Chief Minister said that the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits is a reality the government or even nobody does not deny.
He said successive governments have made efforts to facilitate their return, but conditions on the ground have not yet reached a level where they feel safe to come back.
The Chief Minister said the sense of security among the community was deeply affected and must be rebuilt before any meaningful return can take place. “Without restoring that confidence, expecting their return would not be realistic,” he told the House.
He said the government is ensuring that properties belonging to the displaced community are safeguarded. He added that religious places linked to the community remain a priority and all necessary steps are being taken to preserve and protect them.
Referring to earlier legislative efforts, he said attempts were made in the past to bring a bill for safeguarding such properties, but these faced resistance from within sections of the same community. He stressed that any future legislation must have broader consensus to avoid divisions.
The Chief Minister also touched upon narratives around the issue, saying certain portrayals highlight one side while stories of communal harmony and protection often remain underrepresented.
He reiterated that the government is committed to taking all possible measures for the welfare and protection of the displaced community, while working towards conditions that would enable their safe and dignified return. (KNO)