Exiled Hindus at Kashmir shrine hope to return soon

By Sheikh Mushtaq

TULUMUL, India (Reuters) - Thousands of Kashmiri Hindus who fled an Islamic insurgency in the Himalayan state 20 years ago, gathered at a holy shrine in the strife-torn region on Sunday to pray for an early return to their homeland.

More than 250,000 Kashmiri Hindus, known as 'Pandits', fled their burning homes when a revolt against Indian rule in Kashmir broke out in 1989.

Since then, migrant Pandits have gathered every year on this day at the white marbled shrine surrounded by huge green chinar trees and shimmering streams to chant hymns and walk barefoot, carrying marigolds, rose petals and earthenware lamps.

Hundreds of gun-wielding police and soldiers guarded the Khirbhawani temple, the holiest shrine of Kashmiri Hindus in the disputed region, as the pilgrims offered prayers.

"We all feel it (peace), the situation has improved very much and we think the time is ripe to return to our motherland," said 55-year-old teacher Awtar Krishan Koul, his optimism springing from a sharp drop in rebel violence in recent years.

Officials say violence in Kashmir, involving Muslim militants and Indian troops, has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the revolt, which has killed tens of thousands of people.

"I am a victim of the violence but still I want to return to the (Kashmir) Valley," said 35-year-old housewife Sarla Nehru, who said her brother was killed by militants in 1990.

As she spoke, many pilgrims were making offerings of milk to the deity they consider the goddess of peace.