J&K constitution doesn't allow settlement of West Pakistan refugees: Kamaal

JAMMU, Jan 2: The National Conference has once again rejected the proposal of permanent settlement of West Pakistan refugees in Jammu and Kashmir as the party believes that the state constitution doesn't allow outsiders to have residential status. The NC additional general secretary Mustafa Kamaal was reacting to the statement of Congress leader and former minister Manjeet Singh, who had said that some political parties and bureaucrats are not allowing the settlement of refugees in J&K.

Talking to Early Times, Mustafa Kamaal said, "If Manjeet Singh has so much interest in settlement of these refugees, it is better to settle them in any other part of country as these refugees have right to vote in Parliamentary elections. As far as giving them voting right in J&K is concerned, our constitution doesn't allow us." These west Pakistan refugees had migrated to Jammu and Kashmir during wars of 1947, 1961 and 1972 and have been demanding citizenship rights of the state. But J&K having its own constitution doesn't allow outsiders to permanently settle and have land rights in the state under article 370 which gives J&K and special status. But Jammu based parties, and national parties having major base in Jammu have been demanding for settlement of these refugees in the state and give them land ownership and voting rights like permanent residents of J&K. But most of the Kashmir based political parties are taking the advantage of article 370 and supporting the cause.

"Settlement of refugees is a bigger issue and one thing must be taken into account that those who have migrated to Pakistan from here must be allowed to come back and settle in their own homes and send these refugees back to their homes,' Kamaal said. "It is only possible when India and Pakistan reaches a solution with regard to this issue and makes a policy to settle them at their original places," he added.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=103100