Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said Kashmiri Pandits were an "integral part of Kashmiriyat" and their return was "essentially significant" for the restoration of the composite culture of the Valley.
"The loss of sense of security forced them leave their homeland," he said, maintaining that their return to the Valley will "not be by force, but by creating conducive and favourable conditions" and restoring the sense of security.
Addressing the members of the Youth All-India Kashmiri Samaj (YAIKS), led by its president RK Bhat, who called on him here, the CM said he would continue to make efforts to create a secure and peaceful atmosphere in the Valley for the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits.
"A great number of Kashmiri Pandits want to return to the Valley and become a part of the society like they were before militancy," he added.
Omar said the return of 1,500 youths to the Valley in connection with employment and their mingling with the majority community was a "healthy sign" and a "good omen" for the mass return of Kashmiri Pandits.
"Kashmiri Pandits were spread all across the state and lived in amity with the majority community before militancy. My endeavour is to restore that situation. I do not want to take Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and other parts of the country to the Valley and make them live in camps. They are an integral part of Kashmir and its composite culture. Their co-existence with the majority community is essentially important for restoration of the composite culture of the Valley," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Kashmiri Pandits were spread all across the state and lived in amity with the majority community before militancy. My endeavour is to restore that situation. I do not want to take Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and other parts of the country to the Valley and make them live in camps. They are an integral part of Kashmir and its composite culture. Their co-existence with the majority community is essentially important for restoration of the composite culture of the Valley," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Though packages and other facilities are crucial for the return of Kashmiri Pandits, restoration of a sense of security is of primary importance," he added.