Rs 28 billion package to bring back Kashmiri migrants: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah says his government accords top priority to the safe return of migrants to the valley.

Towards this end, the government is considering a Rs 28 billion rehabilitation plan. The state will reconstruct damaged houses of migrants -- in fact, as a first step, they have already vacated 52 unauthorised occupants from such houses, Dr Abdullah said.

The return of the natives, he went on, was very essential 'to restore the historic ethos and values disrupted by militancy'.

This year, a large number of migrants had visited the valley and interacted with the local people. This, Dr Abdullah said, would help in building confidence.

The CM also said the state would tackle the Centre about increasing the monthly relief provided to migrants.

UNI