Srinagar, Oct 1: The fast-unto-death started by Kashmiri Pandit Sangarsh Samiti (KPSS) president and youth leader in support of their demands ended after 248 hours last night after District Magistrate (DM) Srinagar handed over a written assurance that their demands will be addressed.
A spokesman of the Samiti said today that KPSS president Sanjay K Tickoo and youth leader Sandeep Koul have started fast-unto-death in support of their demands, including recruitment of over 500 unemployed youths of non-migrant Kashmiri pandit community who did not migrated from here when majority members of the community migrated to different parts of the country in early 90s due to eruption of militancy.
He said at around 8.30 pm on Wednesday, Deputy Commission Srinagar, Shahid Choudry visited Tickoo at Sidhi Vinayak Ganesh mandir Ganpathyar Habba Kadal in the old city and handed over a written assurance that the demands projected by KPSS will be addressed and taken to logical conclusion.
He said earlier emissaries of the Chief Secretary as well as the Additional Deputy Commissioner visited the venue a number of times to negotiate with the KPSS President in the last two days.
The fast has ended after 248 hours, he said and thanked all political parties and individuals who supported the KPSS demands.
The KPSS has alleged sabotage by Disaster Management Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRR&R) Department for the past two years despite orders by High Court, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for the appointment of 500 unemployed youth of the community.
Other demands were easy and stress free process of providing bonafide certificates to all Pandits, monthly financial aid to 808 non-migrant Pandit families living in Valley, providing accommodation to all deserving Pandits as per recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs and extension of benefits of Migrant Welfare Fund to the non-migrant Pandits living in the Valley.
KPSS ends fast-unto-death after 248 hours
