End regional discrimination in J&K: RSS

New Delhi: A senior RSS member on Thursday sought redressal of the problems faced by residents of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions and ending of what he called regional discrimination in the state.

Indresh Kumar, a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh national executive and one of the main architects of the RSS policy on national security, said mountainous regions like Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban etc. in Jammu and Kashmir had suffered a lot due to terrorism and government policies.

“People from these areas did not migrate but struggled against government policies and also fought against terror. These areas need all-round development, for which both the state and central governments should create conducive environment,” he added.

Highlighting the problems of border regions in Jammu, he said: “In the border areas like Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua and Akhnoor etc., people suffered multiple displacements and their lives have been destroyed by Pakistan firing.”

Kumar said these people shouldn’t get displaced again and the development of these areas should become the government’s priority.

As for ending the current violence in the Kashmir Valley, he said the government of India had pledged to bring the misguided youths who had taken to destruction instead of development into the mainstream.

“The Centre will consult all those who want peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. The rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and lakhs of people who migrated to Jammu and Kashmir and are awaiting Indian citizenship are some of the priorities of the government,” he added.

–IANS