PM's visit leaves
refugees disappointed
The recent visit
of prime minister Manmohan Singh to the state failed to bring any relief to
these refugees. Despite all verifications, these refugees were denied an
audience with the PM to present their case. Says Labha Ram Gandhi, president of
West Pakistan Refugee Association, "We tried to meet the PM in the Valley,
but were denied permission later. However, we managed to submit our memorandum
of demands to the PM." Among their main demand include basic fundamental
and constitutional rights, including (state) citizenship, since 1947. In 2008,
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to the state, had assured the
West Pakistani refugees of a special rehabilitation package, including
financial assistance and a special recruitment drive for their children. The
Prime Minister had also assured to facilitate them with bank loans without
security deposit.
In
his speech, the PM had also assured of setting up nodal cell in the union
ministry of finance to deal with this matter. Even the Wadwa Committee report
that was compiled in 2008 clearly stated that the demands of these refugees
required immediate consideration. "Both the Centre and state government
are not interested in rehabilitation of these refugees, that is why these promises
are still awaiting implementation. Except promises, nothing concrete has been
done for us since 1947. Instead of taking effective steps to grant citizenship
to refugees, political parties are just trying to befool us," Gandhi said,
adding that in the next elections they would give a befitting reply to those
opposing their demands. West Pakistani refugees have for long been demanding
state citizenship but there hasn't been a consensus among political parties on
the issue.
Meanwhile,
Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said, "We
treat it as a human issue. Even in a recent meeting with Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, we took up their issues but it is a very sensitive
matter." The PCC spokesperson said even in July 2012, they submitted a
memorandum and briefed the Prime Minister, UPA chairperson and union home
minister about the long pending demands and issues of refugees of 1947 from
West Pakistan and other displaced people of 1947 from PoK, besides those who
have settled in various districts of the Jammu region after 1965 and 1971. They
briefed the leaders about various genuine demands of different categories of
these refugees and displaced persons, which have remained unresolved so far.
He
said the delegation had urged the central leadership for constitution of a
high-powered committee to examine various issues and demands of these sections
of society.Sharma said, "We are already pleading their cause. We have also
sought special concessions for them in the field of education and recruitment
for their wards in Central government, army and other paramilitary jobs and
sought attention of the central leadership towards their other issues, which
are to be dealt with at the central level."
However,
Gandhi blamed the Congress for the delay in pleading their case. He said at
this juncture the Congress was in a position to settle the issue. "The
Congress is heading government at the Centre and the party is a partner in the
state government. So, it is high time Congress leaders took a tough stand on
the issue," he said. Over 1.5 lakh West Pakistani refugees are living in
the border districts of Jammu,
Samba and Kathua for the past 65 years in squalid camps and have been denied
citizenship rights.
Certificate
they need
West Pakistani
refugees in J&K have been demanding the basic fundamental and
constitutional rights, including (state) citizenship, since 1947. Owing to the special status of J&K, the
state issues Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) to its citizens. This
certificate has been denied to these refugees.Without the PRC, the refugees can
neither apply for government jobs nor purchase land in the state
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