2 years after abrogation of Article 370: Pandits say promises made with them yet to be implemented, no end to killings, 400 companies willing to invest in J&K

Kashmir August 04 : Two years have passed since abrogation of Article 370, Kashmiri Pandits claim that Centre has failed to make efforts for their return to the valley. While some industrialists have shown interest to invest in J&K at the same time there is no end to killings in the valley.
On August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated and Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was bifurcated into two union territories, the BJP-led government had claimed it would bring peace and prosperity and would lead a path for return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.
Two years down the line, the Kashmiri Pandits claim that promises made by the Centre two years ago are yet to be implemented on the ground.
Chairman, Reconciliation, Return & Rehabilitations of Migrants, (an organization fighting for rights of Kashmiri Pandits), Satish Mahaldar said all governments have failed to provide any relief to Kashmiri Pandits.
“The recent statement by the centre that they will provide employment to 6000 Kashmiri Pandit youth is totally misleading as it does not amount to rehabilitation. Similarly, there are Kashmiri Pandits who have either sold their property in Kashmir or their houses have been burnt since 1990. If they (Pandits) are brought to Kashmir where will they live?” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
He said the government talks about renovation of 50,000 temples in Kashmir. “Where are they (temples)? Who will pray when Pandits don’t live here? Government has failed to hold a probe into killings of Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims or Sikhs that took place over the years. What was told on August 5, 2019 is yet to be implemented,” he said.
Similarly, there is no end to violence in Kashmir. Almost every day, an encounter takes place between security forces and militants. During 2020, at least 225 militants were killed while 60 security personnel also lost their lives in different encounters in Kashmir.
Till June in this year, 58 Kashmiri youth also joined the militancy, which has become a cause of concern for the security agencies.
At the same time, 400 companies have shown willingness to invest Rs 25,000 crore in J&K in coming years.
Investors want to invest in 18 sectors including education, health, agriculture, tourism, IT, handicrafts, food processing units, pharmaceuticals, skill development, milk, poultry and wool, infrastructure and real estate, renewable energy, and others.
“The process for investing got delayed due to COVID-19. Some of the companies are waiting to improve in COVID situation so they could invest in J&K,” a senior official told news agency KINS.
Some of the major companies which recently showed interest to invest including Atmiya Fieldcon Pvt for setting up a hospital in J&K Rs 650 crore, HP Kapital for setting up a health care centre in J&K with an investment of Rs 2000 crore, R K Associate Hoteliers Rs 500 crore for establishing hotels, National Agriculture Cooperative Marketing Federation of India to invest Rs 1700 crore for high density plantation and cold storage clusters.
Other major companies that wants to invest in J&K include Flipkart for showcasing and facilitating the local artisans and craftsmen to reach customers, an Abu Dhabi based company Lulu for food processing units, Reliance Ammunition Ltd, Jackson Group, Indo American Synergy, Krishna Hydro Projects Pvt Ltd, Universal Success Enterprises, Singapore, Indian School of Business, Bestech India Private Limited, LM Energy and Software Pvt Ltd, Intellizone Publishers Pvt Ltd, Servotel and Shree Cement Ltd. (KINS)