Srinagar: Stepping into shoes much bigger than authority assigned to him, a middle-rung government official, working in the office of PRO to Chief Ministers Advisor, Prof Amitabh Mattoo has left the government red-faced.
Taking advantage of the ongoing unrest, he visited migrant camps in Jammu to take stock of situation on behalf of the government but ended up triggering controversy over return of the Pandits when Kashmir is on the edge.
His controversial visit has taken the social media by storm in Jammu province with netizens condemning the crude joke played with the Pandit community.
The delegation of migrants said the official told them that the government was presently ready to hold talks with them for their return to Kashmir. How come can official of such a cadre discuss the sensitive matter of holding talks with us Or has the government assigned PROs the task of holding deliberations with our community over the matter of our return to Kashmir? a delegation of migrant Pandits told Kashmir Observer.
The Pandit community said the government was resorting to cheap tactics to play with the emotions of the displaced community.
If the government is so serious about our return let the Chief Minister herself visit us, why send PRO office people that too when Kashmir is on the boil? Do such forces want to defame us before our Kashmiri brethren, they asked.
The migrants accused the government of being non-serious about their permanent settlement. Over two decades on, we are being used like puppets, the Pandit community said.
They said the official had come for a photo session as he had brought along a team of media persons to highlight his visit.
On social media it was a volcanic debate. Complete chaos hits PDP-BJP Govt Advisor to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s Amitabh Mattoo’s close aide (name withheld) appeared on TV with offer of talks for agitating Kashmiri Pandits. Is now he the spokesman of the state government? Kindly let us know Mr. Govt Spokesman, posted a netizen.
Sant Kumar Sharma In Dogri, it is said: Naukaren de chakar. Chakaren diyan pichchkariyan, reacted another.
In what capacity is (he, name withheld) making the offer, or giving the statement? Is he the kite and somebody flying him? So that the kite can be credited with kite-flying? Some low the state’s politics is plunging to! commented another concerned netizen.
The concerned official, however, denied having discussed anything pertaining to return of Pandits to Kashmir.
The official said it was a routine visit as assigned to him. I told them I have come as his representative (of Advisor to CM) to take stock of situation. I will put forth your viewpoint before him, the official told Kashmir Observer adding there was no mischief in the visit.
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