Kashmiri Pandits hope to return to homeland

Migrant Kashmiri Pandits voters queued up at various centres in Jammu and Udhampur to cast their ballots in the second phase of Assembly polls in the hope of return to their homeland in Kashmir.

Many migrants were seen at the polling stations early in the morning to vote for their home constituencies in the Kashmir Valley.

Most of the Kashmiri Pandits voted in the hope of returning to the Valley, which they had to leave in 1989-90 due to the threat calls by terrorists. Many of them said that they expect formation of a government after polls, which would facilitate their return to their homeland while addressing security issues.

Amit Koul, a school teacher, said, “However, we also want that till our rehabilitation back to the Valley is not possible, areas where our camps are located must be developed. The homes provided by the government are not up to the mark and there is huge scope for improvement.”

Election Commission has made special preparations for allowing displaced Kashmiri Pandits to cast their votes in all three phases of elections.