UN rights body silent on plight of terror victims, say Pandits

Displaced Kashmiri Pandits today accused the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (UNHCHR) of maintaining silence on the plight of 3.5 lakh displaced Kashmiri Hindus and other victims of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in J&K.

Community members alleged that the rights body was showing selective concern for human rights in the state and was not taking into account the mayhem being created by terrorists and separatists for the last 28 years.

“Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UNHCHR High Commissioner, is maintaining silence on the issue of human rights violations of Pandits. This is unacceptable to the victims of militancy,” alleged Ashwani Chrungoo, president, Panun Kashmir, a representative body of minority Hindus, at a meeting held here today.

He expressed satisfaction over the response of the Indian representative to Pakistan at the UN Human Rights Council session.

Panun Kashmir said the recent statement of Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu that the J&K issue should not been seen as a political issue was a nice rebuttal to Pakistan, which had raked up Kashmir at a human rights meeting recently.

JL Kaul, vice-president, Panun Kashmir, said no mandate was allowed to anyone to negotiate with the unity and integrity of India in Jammu and Kashmir.

Virender Raina, national spokesperson, Panun Kashmir, said Pandits had been longing for a Bill on Hindu temples and shrines.

“The demand of the Hindus of Kashmir to preserve, protect and promote their cultural and religious tradition of thousands of years is an important concern not only for the Hindus living in J&K, but also those across the nation,” he added.

 tribuneindia