Exactly 30 years ago on January 19, 1990, the Kashmiri Pandits were forced to flee their homeland, the Kashmir Valley, as a result of being targeted by Islamic jihadis. Meanwhile, different political parties came to power but couldn't create a conducive atmosphere for their return to the valley. Displaced Kashmiri Hindus are still longing to return to their homeland.

The exodus of Kashmiri Hindus is no secret. Since 1989-90,nothing much has changed for the displaced community. What has changed is their culture, tradition, language among others.

Every New Year brings new hopes to the world. Whereas, forKashmiri Pandits, January brings back a three-decade-old nightmare. On January19, 1990, Islamic jihadis wreaked havoc on the minority Kashmiri Hindus. Theywere left with only three options -- convert to Islam, leave the place orperish.

The terrorists murdered hundreds of Kashmiri Pandits. Womenwere allegedly gangraped and killed. Hindu temples were targeted. Kidnappingsand incidents of stone pelting at Hindu homes were a common occurrence. Neitherpolice nor administration came to their rescue. No human rights defendersenquired the whereabouts of Kashmiri Hindus. Even at the hospitals, Hindu patientswere being marginalised.

From streets to schools, colleges and offices, theminorities were persecuted, threatened and tortured mentally as well asphysically.Had the then Governor Jagmohan not called the Army to the valley onJanuary 19, 1990, Kashmiri Pandits would have been massacred. Slogans werebeing raised from the mosques' loudspeakers -- "Kaafiro ko maaro"(kill the outsiders), "Yahan Nizam-e-Mustafa chalega" (what we wantin Kashmir, rule of Allah), "We want Kashmir with Pandit women, not Panditmen".

Lakhs of Kashmiri Muslims were present on the streets toslaughter the Hindus. At last, the Army had to come to their rescue.KashmiriHindus were left with no other option but to migrate to other cities. Lakhs ofKashmiri Pandits moved to Jammu, New Delhi and other cities.

Even the then Central government couldn't do anything forKashmiri Hindus.

According to Kashmiri Pandits, over 300 Hindus were killedbetween 1989-90. The massacre continued even after 1990. On January 26, 1998,23 Kashmiri Pandits were killed in Wandhama area of Ganderbal district.

Even after 30 years of the Kashmiri Pandits' exodus, noaction has been taken. Police didn't even register FIRs in several cases. Afterexodus, Kashmiri Pandits' homes were allegedly robbed. Many houses were setablaze. No FIRs were registered.Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo, telecom engineerBalkrishna Ganjoo, Doordarshan Director Lassa Kaul and political leader TikalalTaploo, among others were brutally killed. Girija Ganjoo and Sarla Bhat wereallegedly abducted, gangraped and then murdered. Justice has not yet beendelivered in several such cases.Kashmiri political leaders such as FarooqAbdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti or the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed nevertalked about atrocities against the Kashmiri Hindus. No leader made attempts toensure return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.When Kashmiri Pandits wereattacked, Farooq Abdullah was Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, while MuftiMohammad Sayeed was the Union Home Minister.

It's unfortunate that no judicial inquiry commission or SITwas formed or an inquiry could be launched in such cases.

Kashmiri Pandits are still awaiting for justice. This yearis the dawn of a new era. Even after three decades in exile, the community'sreturn to their homeland still seems to be a distant dream.