Click to play videoSrinagar: The construction work in progress for what the government hopes can be a new home for Kashmiri pandits in Jammu.
A week back, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation for a township for pandits at Jagti, on the outskirts of Jammu.
But the celebration could be short-lived. Even migrants living in the squalid Purkhoo and Muthi camps say they won't move to the township.
“We don't want to shift from here. This place is near to city. We can't migrate a second time. Our kids are studying here. People have set up small businesses. Let government use this money to set up colonies in Kashmir,” said President of Kashmiri Pandits, Purkhoo camp, Ravinder Raina.
The 90-acre township is likely to cost around 220 crores, and in two years the government says it will have parks, schools, health centres and a bus service.
But many pandits fear the township is further proof that the government doesn't plan to ensure their return to Kashmir.
“Although we welcome this gesture and good facilities but our demand to go back to Kashmir stands,” said President of Panun Kashmir, Agnishekhar.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has been quick to insist that the township is only a stopgap arrangement.
“This is a temporary accommodation. We are alive to the Kashmiri pandits demand of homecoming,” he said.
It's likely to be a while before Jagti truly becomes home.
(With inputs from Mansi Sharma)
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