Jammu, Apr 24: Apni Party’s candidate for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat, Zafar Iqbal Manhas on Wednesday extended support to the migrant Kashmiri Pandits and alleged that the traditional parties exploited the community as vote banks.
“These parties failed to fulfill the promises made with the KPs in the last three decades depriving the community of their basic rights to get employment, and safe return to the valley,” he said while interacting with the migrant Kashmiri Pandits here at the Press Club of Jammu.
As per the press release, the interaction with the migrant Kashmiri Pandits was organized by the General Secretary of the Party, Vijay Bakaya in which large numbers of migrant community members were also present. During the meeting, the demands and concerns of the migrants were discussed in detail by the Apni Party leaders.
Manhas assured the community members that he would fulfill their long pending demands.
Asserting the Kashmiri Pandits are an inseparable part and parcel of the Kashmiri society, he said that the Apni Party feels that the migrants should be provided with a sense of security and confidence so that they can return to the valley.
He stressed the need to end misunderstandings spread by the traditional parties for their gains. “We are committed to bridging the gap and bringing the two communities together. We want to rehabilitate the KPs back to the Valley with honour,” he said.
Explaining the importance of Kashmiri Pandits in the valley, Zafar said the community has played a vital role in promoting brotherhood, and peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
As far as the demands of the KPs are concerned, he assured that if he gets elected as Member Parliament from the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary seat, he will work for the fulfillment of the long pending demands of the migrants.
Iqbla referred to the demands of enhancement of monthly relief amount up to Rs 25000, construction of adequate residential complexes for the migrants, and other related issues which were discussed in threadbare.
Meanwhile, Vijay Bakaya explained the difficulties faced by the KPs in Jammu after their migrations from different parts of the valley in the 90s. He explained to them the policy and agenda of the Party for the rehabilitation of the migrants and providing them with employment opportunities under the Prime Minister’s package.
Bakaya said KPs have extended their support to Zafar Iqbal Manhas in the wake of the policy of equitable development of the Apni Party. The community members expect that the Apni Party would work for the betterment of the migrant community, he added.
He said the party is committed to improving basic amenities and will provide other facilities to improve the living standard of the Kashmiri Pandits in migrant camps in Jammu.
