Kashmiri Pandits welcome Home Minister's

Kashmiri Pandits have welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement on Article 370. Shah had called provision “temporary in nature”. In a statement, Panun Kashmir, an organisation of migrant Kashmiri pandits, said they have complete faith in the abilities of Shah to deliver a mortal blow to the sponsors of terrorism in the Valley and under Shah the Kashmiri Pandits would finally be rehabilitated in their more than 5,000-year-old home. They further said the time was ripe for the provision to scrapped.

“The expression of the Home Minister in the Lok Sabha is a statement of truth and most heartening. We say Article 370 has to go eventually and the time is now. This article was instrumental in creating alienation in a section of Kashmiri Muslims and encouraged Pakistan to sponsor terrorism in the state,” the Panun Kashmir statement read.

It said Amit Shah’s “terrorism would be crushed in Kashmir” statement indicates the right strategy for the region.

“Terror and talks cannot go together. The policy has paid dividends as Pakistan is virtually isolated and bankrupt and is begging for talks,” it said, adding the Pandits have been the “worst victims” of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism resulting in their exodus.

“It is time to make a comprehensive plan for their permanent settlement in Kashmir in accordance with their wishes and aspirations,” it said.

Speaking in Lok Sabha on Friday, Shah also said that prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was responsible for the Kashmir problem. Hitting out at the Congress and then prime minister, he said one-third of Jammu and Kashmir is not with India.

"Who is responsible," he asked drawing a sharp reaction from Congress members.

The House witnessed disruptions over Shah naming Nehru.

Continuing his attack on the opposition party, he said so far Article 356 (President's Rule) was imposed 132 times of which the Congress used it 93 times to dismiss state governments.

He also said the government withdrew security of 919 people in the state as there was no security threat.

Shah said people speak against India in Jammu and Kashmir to get security cover. In fact, he said, people who speak for India face the real threat.