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NHRC calls high-level meeting to help Pandits

The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Jammu and Kashmir government to organise a meeting of state ministers and officials, and representatives of the migrant Kashmiri Pandits in March to solve the minority group's grievances.

Sources said the Commission offered its good offices in handling the individual issues of the Pandits, who were forced to flee the valley due to surging terrorism.

The direction came after the NHRC met with the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, advocate general and representatives of the migrants.

On the NHRC's suggestion to improve relations between the migrants and the government, the chief secretary assured that the officials at various levels would be directed to interact effectively and provide all necessary aid to the displaced people.

Earlier, the NHRC had directed the state to report on the steps it had taken to protect the properties of the Pandits. It had also asked the government to prepare a district-wise list of properties falling within the purview of the Jammu and Kashmir Migrant's Immovable Properties (Preservation, Protection and Restrait on Depressed Cells) Act, 1997, and the action taken under it so far.

Sources said the state has complied with all these directions and expressed its willingness to allow migrants who desired to on their properties to take stock of the damage.

UNI

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