Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir), Jan. 2 (ANI): In a bid to provide relief and rehabilitation to migrated Kashmiri Hindus, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has constructed a colony at Nathnoosa in Kupwara District.
Speaking to the reporters on Wednesday, Minister of State for Revenue Raman Bhalla said the houses were built for migrants who are without permanent jobs.
"This transit accommodation has been built from relief organisation for the migrants and it is in its final stage. Our migrant brothers who will come here seeking job can reside in these houses during the transit period. Many migrants have given applications for revised packages and as soon as they will be approved there will be a lot of rush. Keeping that in mind, we have prepared this colony," said Bhalla.
Nazir Ahmad, a local, hailed the idea of Hindus returning to the valley.
"We are fortunate that our brothers are returning to Kashmir and we are trying to get them back here. The Hindus and Muslims used to live here like brothers in full harmony. But the situation got tense and they migrated from here. We welcome the decision taken by the government to provide accommodation to the migrants for their rehabilitation," said Ahmad.
Vijender Pandit, a Kashmiri Hindu migrant, also expressed happiness and welcomed the initiative.
"This is a very good step. We have all the facilities here including water, security and the houses are very well constructed," said Vijender Pandit.
Nearly 2,50,000 Kashmiri Pandits left for safer places because of a sharp rise in violence and killings of Hindus at the start of a rebellion by Muslim militants in 1989 and afterwards.
It was the largest migration since the 1947 partition of the subcontinent. (ANI)
