An extraordinary conclave of Kashmiri Pandit representatives and moderate All Parties Hurriyat Conference politicians has resolved to work jointly for the dignified return of local migrant Kashmiri Pandits back to their homes.

The conclave, the first of its kind held at the Rajbagh headquarters of the APHC, also decided that the Muslim and Hindu communities would work together to find a lasting and honourable solution to the Kashmir issue.

A delegation of the migrant Kashmiri Pandit community travelled all the way from Jammu to the uptown Rajbagh headquarters of the APHC and found prominent separatist leaders including APHC chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar
Farooq waiting with garlands to honour and embrace their Pandit brethren.

• The Road to Peace

Emotional scenes set the pace for the day-long closed-door proceedings of the first ever conclave between Kashmiri separatist leaders and members of the minority Pandit community.

Many prominent Pandit leaders including the Panun Kashmir group have however dissociated themselves from Tuesday's enclave, blaming the separatist leaders for their misery and migration.

Sources said the meeting was held in a warm and congenial atmosphere and cordiality was reflected in the joint statement issued at the end of the meeting.

The joint statement said that the Muslims and Hindus of Kashmir were inseparable elements of the local fabric.

"That Kashmiri migrants return to the Valley with a deeper sense of security and dignity unmistakably requires a favourable environment, for which the APHC along with other sensible elements will endeavor to discharge their duty as effectively as is possible and the Pandit intellectuals will on their part also contribute towards the forward movement as handsomely as is needed," the statement said.

The statement further said, "Participants support the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan with a view to resolving all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir [Images] and thus ensuring lasting peace in the region. In this regard, the involvement of the people of the state will further consolidate the process and help build bridges of good will and mutual trust and above everything else the understanding required under the circumstances."

The statement appealed to all sections of the society in the state to 'throw their weight behind our efforts so that the movement forward translated into reality'.