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After 29 Years Kashmiri Pandit Returned to His Homeland to Begin Anew

Written by KashmirUnheard

Video By: Nadiya Shafi | Article By: Nusrat Ali

Roshan Lal Mawa, 74, was forced to migrate to Delhi from Kashmir, in October 1990, when he was shot at by unknown gunmen (alleged militants) outside his shop at the Gada Kocha area of the Zaina Kadal market. He suffered four bullet wounds – three in his abdomen and one in his leg. He had little choice than to close his establishment and migrate to Delhi. Roshan Lal has now come back to Kashmir after 29 years and started his work back feeling safe.

“I have traveled across the country but there is no place like Kashmir. Kashmiriyat is alive here. As I arrived at Zainakadal, I got a welcome by Kashmiri Muslim traders. The traders even honored me with ‘dastarbandi‘ (tying of a white headgear)”, said Mr. Mawa who has restarted his family business of selling dry fruits, dates and spices.

Roughly 1 lac Kashmiri pundits migrated to Jammu from Kashmir in the ’90s after they felt threatened by attacks that were carried out against them by unknown gunmen and due to the politics followed afterward.

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