Srinagar: The local Muslims in the Mattan area of south Kashmir’s Islamabad district are helping the Pandit families in reconstruction of their houses.
According to media reports, the reconstruction of the houses of several Pandit families that had begun last year, is about to be completed in the area.
Among the several family heads, who are reconstructing their houses, is Pandit Kakaji who is building a two-storey house for himself and his brother’s family. Kakaji had moved to Jammu along with his family in 1990s. The local Muslims also make sure to visit the site every day in order to enquire about the progress of the work.
During the 1990s, almost 30 families left the Mattan area, which is renowned for its communal harmony. Kakaji came back to Kashmir back in the year 2008-2009 when the former Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had announced employment opportunities for nearly 15,000 unemployed migrant youth.
Kakaji believes that the construction of the house will be completed this year and the families will move into the new house within 2022. Kakaji said, “There is no threat here. There’s complete communal harmony in the village.”
All these years after the Pandit families left the village, local Muslims took care of the properties.
“Many Pandit families are rebuilding their houses in the village. The Kashmiri Muslim neighbors, who are taking care of their property, are helping Pandits rebuild their homes and making all necessary arrangements,” Kakaji said.
The elderly in the village are celebrating the return of Pandits into their houses.
“We all welcome their return and we are happy that they are getting back to their old houses. Pandits are part of Kashmir and they should live with their Muslim brothers like before the 1990s,” a villager said. Web Desk
