Subramaniam Swamy: For protection of Kashmiri Pandits, create ‘special force of ex-servicemen’

Srinagar, April 2: BJP parliamentarian Subramanian Swamy on Saturday suggested that one lakh ex –serviceman be asked to live in Kashmir along with their families for protection of Kashmiri Pandits once they decide to return to the Valley. He said these ex-service men would be like special forces to protect the Pandits. “Kashmiri Pandits had a horrible experience in the 1990s and we cannot have a similar situation once they return. So, we will only tell them to return when the situation is good. My suggestion is that one lakh sainiks who have retired and still know how to use guns, be asked to live in Kashmir along with their families for five years,” Swamy told reporters in Srinagar on the sidelines of Navreh Milan. He said the ex-soldiers would be given salaries and they will be a special force to protect Kashmiri Pandits. “They (Pandits) have experienced a massacre and they should not have to go through that again, “ he said, adding that he has no idea as to how many Pandits will return. “They (sainiks) will have direct communication lines with the Pandit families who return so that they can immediately reach out to them when called,” he added. He said Kashmiri Pandits should be settled in each district of Kashmir. Swami said while the Pandits have to be brought back to live and the government should create an atmosphere conducive. Earlier, Swami performed Pooja at the Chakreshwari Devi temple at Hariparbhat on the occasion of the Navreh’. At a separate function, Swamy said it was the former prime minister V P Singh and his home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who were responsible for the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and not the then chief minister Farooq Abdullah. (UNI)