Virtually restraining the Jammu and Kashmir [Images] government from dealing with the applications filed by visitors from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir laying claim to their ancestral property in Kashmir, the Supreme Court on Monday issued
notices to the state government and the Centre.

Giving them a week's time to file responses to a petition filed by J&K National Panthers Party, a Bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice S B Sinha reminded the state government about an apex court order staying the Resettlement Act which allowed PoK residents to return to Kashmir.

"How can those who take the bus route and come on a tourist permit make claim for the evacuee properties," the Bench observed when the petitioner sought an interim order restraining the state government from passing any order on the applications made by the visitors.

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Talking to rediff.com, Bhim Singh said over 200 former residents of the state have also sent their applications directly to the J&K government by post.

"The application is being filed in an emergent situation, to avoid communal tension and destabilisation of the state on account of notorious move and action of the government of J&K under the guise of Confidence Building Measures. Over 1,50,000 families of the minority community, who were forced to leave PoK and resettle in J&K, would be affected," he argued.

The court did not issue any interim direction on the ground that the apex court has already stayed the said Act.

WITH PTI INPUTS