Chidambaram promises rehab of Kashmiri Hindu migrants

Jammu, Nov 4 : Home Minister P. Chidambaram Wednesday assured Kashmiri Pandits that he would do his best to fulfil the central government's commitment on the return and rehabilitation of the migrants to Jammu and Kashmir.

The return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrant Hindus - 350,000 of whom fled the Valley en masse in 1990 - "is a commitment" of the United Progressive Alliance government at the centre, he said.

"I will try my best to fulfil this commitment," the home minister said.

Chidambaram also said his focus would be on showing results in resolving the problems faced by the migrants.

"It's not important that the problem has been discussed and debated upon, the most important part is, whether we have been able to show results," Chidambaram told an apex committee of Kashmiri Hindus, representing various organizations of the community that fled the Valley when militancy was at its peak in the state.

Kashmiri Hindus interacted with Chidambaram at Jagti, about 15 km north of Jammu, where a satellite township is being built for them.

The township would house more than 2,000 families and is expected to be completed by December-end.

Addressing around 30 members of the Kashmiri Hindus, and several other migrants who had gathered to hear him, Chidambaram said that results have to be found to the questions - "Have we been able to take them to their homes in the Valley, have we been able to retrieve their properties, have we been able to address all the problems facing them?"

"I promise that I will do my best to show results," he said.

Earlier, the minister visited the township Jagti, accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Revenue and Relief Minister Raman Bhalla.

"We must fulfil our commitment toward them (migrants)," the home minister told officials.

This is the home minister's second visit to the state in less than a month. His visit comes against the backdrop of raging anger over his ministry's decision to ban pre-paid mobile connections, affecting 3.8 million subscribers in the state.

The pre-paid connections are not being renewed from Nov 1, nor are new connections being given. The home ministry has cited security reasons for the move.

Political leaders in the state have criticised the ban.

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has claimed the "ban on pre-paid is temporary". He has assured the people that it would be lifted soon.

He has already spoken to Chidambaram, who is to also attend the wedding of state Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda's daughter before returning to Delhi Wednesday evening.