पीओके रिफ्यूजियों ने सुनाया दुखड़ा

2 सितंबर 2013  दोमाना। पीओके डिस्पलेस्ड पर्सन फ्रंट 1947, 1965,1971 और नान कैंप का एक शिष्टमंडल जम्मू पुंछ लोकसभा क्षेत्र से सांसद मदन लाल शर्मा से उनके निवास स्थान मुट्ठी में मिला। शिष्टमंडल फ्रंट के प्रधान पूर्व कैप्टन युद्धवीर सिंह के नेतृत्व में मिला। फ्रंट के सदस्यों ने कहा कि वह लोग 1947, 1965 और 1971 में भारत-पाक युद्ध के दौरान विस्थापित हो गए थे। उस समय वे पाकिस्तान में अपनी जमीन, जायदाद के अलावा सब कुछ छोड़ आए लेकिन राज्य सरकार इन लोगों द्वारा पीछे छोड़ी गई जमीन जायदाद का अभी तक कुछ भी नहीं दिया गया, जबकि जम्मू कश्मीर से पाकिस्तान गए लोगों की संपत्ति की देख रेख राज्य सरकार कर रही है और पाकिस्तान चले गए लोगों का हक आज भी राज्य में कायम है लेकिन जो लोग पाकिस्तान से हुए युद्धों के दौरान उजड़ कर राज्य में आए, उन्हें आज तक राज्य सरकार ने कुछ नहीं दिया। फ्रंट के प्रधान ने कहा कि उनका संगठन अब जम्मू संभाग के मंत्रियों और नेताओं चाहे वह किसी भी पार्टी से संबंधित हो, का घेराव शुरू करेगा, जिससे उनकी मांगों को हर सतह पर उठाया जा सके।

लोगों को सांसद ने बताया कि उन्होंने केंद्र में उनकी मांगों को उठाया है। केंद्र सरकार भी इस पर राजी है। लोगों को चाहिए कि वह अपनी आवाज को हर सतह पर बुलंद करें, जिसेसे उनका मसला हल हो जाए। इस मौके पर पवन सिंह, महासचिव जयपाल शर्मा, संयोजक कुलदीप चिब, महिला संगठन की प्रधान सकंध्या देवी, रछपाल सिंह के अलावा बड़ी संख्या में सदस्य उपस्थित थे

Source: http://www.amarujala.com/

BJP takes up the cause of WP refugees

Gandhi bemoans ignorance of PSC

           

JAMMU, Aug 2: On July 30, a very important development took place in New Delhi. Leadership of refugees and migrants met the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Home Affairs and narrated their woeful tales. The PSC is headed by former BJP national president and MP Venkaiah Naidu and other members of the committee include LK Advani, Lalu Parshad Yadav, Rajiv Partap Rudy, Naveen Jindal and Dr V Metray. It would be interesting to note what chairman of West Pakistani Refugees Action Committee (WPRAC) Labha Ram Gandhi said while reflecting on the meeting and its significance. Talking to a senior correspondent on July 31, Labha Ram Gandhi made startling revelations and, among other things, said: "A majority of the PSC members were surprised when I briefed them about the plight of the stateless West Pakistani refugees living in Jammu and Kashmir since 1947". "Intervention of the PSC has rekindled hope among West Pakistani refugees because representatives of almost all political parties were present during the deliberations…The first-time elected representatives of all political parties were informed about these refugees and they assured to take some concrete step to solve this problem once and for all…The PSC members had sought a response from the State Government on the issue of the refugees. Although political parties across the country are aware of the Kashmiri migrants and PoK refugees, they were not aware that West Pakistani refugees living in J&K…The PSC members had admitted that denying basic fundamental rights to these refugees, majority of them Dalits, was a glaring example of human rights violation in the State. It is really shocking that successive State Governments have never projected our demands before the country. Some members were shell shocked when they were informed that despite living in J&K since 1947, West Pakistani refugees were still being denied the right to vote for Assembly, panchayat as well as urban local bodies…Except the BJP, the PSC members of other political parties were not aware of the West Pakistani refugees," he said.

Gandhi had never been that hopeful as he was after his meeting with the PSC members. A number of local BJP leaders were also present when Gandhi and his colleagues narrated their woeful tales. It needs to be underlined that the West Pakistan refugees do not have the right to immovable property, right to Government service, right to bank loan, right to higher technical and professional education, right to vote in the Assembly and local-bodies' elections and so on even after 65 years of their stay in Jammu. It must remain a matter of shame that the authorities have denied the West Pakistan refugees their fundamental rights or natural rights.

It bears recalling that on July 30 Gandhi, along with the representatives of refugees from Pakistan-occupied-Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), refugees from Kashmir and victims of terrorism and communal violence affected people discussed in detail their plight and grievances with member of PSC in New Delhi. It was an important meeting in the sense that no less than 32 members participated in the important deliberations. It was perhaps for the first time after 1947 that so many members of the PSC came to know that the hapless and abandoned West Pakistani refugees had been leading a wretched life since 1947. The credit goes to the BJP, as it all happened owing to its initiative. The BJP ensured the participation of representatives of West Pakistan refugees in the crucial meeting. The development must have unnerved the local Congress leadership, which has consistently hoodwinked and fooled the refugees from West Pakistan.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=111219

वेस्ट पाकिस्तान रिफ्यूजियों के मुद्दों पर चर्चा

29 Jul 2013 जागरण संवाददाता, जम्मू : संसद का मानसून सत्र शुरू होने से पहले ही सरकार ने राज्य के उन वर्गो का विश्वास जीतने का प्रयास शुरू कर दिया है, जो पिछले कई दशकों से अपने अधिकारों की लड़ाई लड़ रहे हैं। प्रमुख राजनीतिक दल कांग्रेस समेत अन्य दलों की आने वाले चुनावों के मद्देनजर सरकार रिफ्यूजियों को दिल्ली में बुला कर उनकी समस्याओं पर विचार कर रही है ताकि सत्र के दौरान सांसदों द्वारा उठाए गये उनके मुद्दों का सही जवाब दे सकें । रिफ्यूजियों के मुद्दों के बारे में विचार-विमर्श के लिए संसद की पेटीशन कमेटी ने वेस्ट पाकिस्तान रिफ्यूजियों के मुद्दों को बारीकी से जानने के लिए बैठक का आयोजन किया है। पेटीशन कमेटी की बैठक में भाग लेने के लिए वेस्ट पाकिस्तान रिफ्यूजी एक्शन कमेटी के प्रधान लब्बा राम गांधी, उप-प्रधान सुखदेव सिंह, रिफ्यूजी नेता नरेंद्र सिंह व अन्य वेस्ट पाकिस्तान रिफ्यूजी नेताओं को बुलाया गया है।

प्रधान लब्बा राम गांधी ने सरकार के प्रयास की गंभीरता पर प्रश्नचिन्ह लगाते हुए कहा कि पिछले पैंसठ वर्षो से सरकार उन्हें राज्य की स्थायी नागरिकता का अधिकार देने में असमर्थ रही है। भाजपा सांसद अविनाश राय खन्ना ने उनके मसले को लेकर जो याचिका दायर की है, उसे लेकर बनी वेंकैया नायडू कमेटी ने वेस्ट पाकिस्तान रिफ्यूजियों की बैठक बुलाई है, जिसमें मंगलवार को वेस्ट पाकिस्तान रिफ्यूजियों के मुद्दों पर विचार-विमर्श होगा।

Source: http://www.jagran.com/

रिफ्यूजियों ने फिर हक को आवाज उठाई

26 जुलाई 2013 हीरानगर। वर्ष 1947, 1965 और 1971 में पाक-अधिकृत कश्मीर से विस्थापित होकर राज्य में रह रहे विस्थापितों ने एक बार फिर से अपने मसले को हल करने की मांग को दोहराई। वीरवार को हीरानगर में पीओके डिस्पलेस्ड पर्सन वेलफेयर फ्रंट की तहसील इकाई की एक बैठक हुई। फ्रंट के प्रधान मास्टर केएल बक्शी ने बैठक की अध्यक्षता करते हुए हक की आवाज उठाई। उन्होंने सरकार से वन टाइम सेटलमेंट के लिये किये वादे को जल्द पूरा करने की मांग की। बक्शी ने कहा कि लाखों लोग पीओके से विस्थापित होकर राज्य में शरणार्थी को जीवन जी रहे हैं। उन्हें आज तक वादे के मुताबिक न तो खेती-बाड़ी के लिए भूमि मिली और न ही आर्थिक पैकेज। उन्होंने कहा कि उनकी सबसे प्रमुख मांग है कि पीओके के विस्थापितों को वन टाइम सेटलमेंट को जल्द लागू किया जाये। क्योंकि वे लोग विस्थापन के समय अपनी सारी जायदाद वहां छोड़ आये हैं। उन्होंने राज्य सरकार से विस्थापितों के बच्चों को सरकारी नौकरियों और पढ़ाई के लिये प्रोफेशनल कालेजों में दाखिले में आरक्षण की सुविधा भी मांगी है।

बैठक के दौरान फ्रंट के सदस्यों ने जमकर नारेबाजी भी की। वहीं फ्रंट के नेता बाबू राम मल्होत्रा ने कहा कि रिफ्यूजियों के मसले की तरफ सरकार ध्यान नहीं दे रही है। उन्होंने कहा कि जिला कठुआ मे हर तीसरे माह में जिला सत्र के अधिकारियों के तबादले होने से लोगों के काम समय पर नहीं हो पा रहे है। बैठक में फ्रंट के उपाध्यक्ष ओम प्रकाश, महासचिव बलवीर चिब सहित डीपी लुबाना, बलबीर सिंह, देस राज, यशपाल शर्मा, राजेंद्र बक्शी, सुभाष चंद्र आदि ने भी अपने विचार रखे।

Source:http://www.amarujala.com/

Displaced and ghettoized, six decades on

By Gulzar Bhat          

Denied official refugee status, Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK) refugees who continue to live in camps in Jammu with limited livelihood options recount their anguish

Sitting on a charpoy in the small room of his dilapidated house, Sham Lal Sharma, an octogenarian, watches the TV; his pensive eyes glued to a high-pitched special programme on the recently held elections in Pakistan. He switches it off as soon as the programme ends. Shaking his head, he murmurs in a voice tinged with regret, "Our problems will never ever find a place in the election manifestos of political parties of either side."

Meet Sham Lal, a PAK refugee, who has, for six decades, been a resident of Bhour Camp - a locality in the periphery of the Jammu city. He was a teenager when his family fled their native village in Pallandri town (now in PAK) in 1947 following the tribal invasion, leaving behind everything they owned.

Narrating the tales of mass exodus and massacres, he recalls how his family, along with scores of other families, was pushed into a large building by the tribal militia in the wee hours of October 24, 1947, after which the building was set on fire. Barring a few, all those trapped inside were burnt alive.

"More than six decades passed since, but sometimes I can still smell that acrid odour of the burning human bodies pervading the air." Escaping death at many places Sham Lal's family managed to reach Jammu but, he says, only to live a life fraught with afflictions.

This is not an isolated case but the saga of nearly 41,000 families who fled their homes when tribals raided Muzaffarabad, Mirpur and Poonch areas of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir on October 22, 1947.

The number of those displaced has shot up manifold over the past 65 years and has reached more than 1.25 million. Nearly five lakh people are ghettoised in 39 camps in and around Jammu, while others are settled in the Kathua, Udhampur, RS Pura and Poonch areas of Jammu in dismal living conditions, with State apathy towards their plight becoming an accepted reality.

Of the 41,000 families that migrated initially, 9,000 are not registered with the government and have not been provided any reprieve. "Only those families were registered who had migrated along with the heads of families and had a monthly income not more than Rs 300," says Sham Lal.

Most of the PAK refugees settled in rural areas are living off the land as agriculture is their only livelihood, but they, too, are forced to live a hand-to-mouth existence because of insufficient land.

The government, as part of its rehabilitation policy, issued orders vide Cabinet order No. 578-C of 1956 that every family putting up in rural areas would be provided four acres of irrigated and six acres of non-irrigated land. But around 84,094 families have not got sufficient land owing to shortage of land or so the State claims. "The land has not been allotted free of cost, as claimed by the government time and again. The then State government deducted Rs. 2,500 as cost of land out of the ex-gratia relief provided by the then Central government," said R.C. Sharma, a local journalist and PAK refugee settled in Bhour camp.

Sharma also pointed out that, on the one hand, the government claimed that they were short of land, but on the other hand, thousand kanals of land had been grabbed by land mafia in Jammu province. It is pertinent to mention here that in the last session of J &K assembly, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Ajaz Ahmed Khan, in reply to a question, appraised the House that Jammu figures at the top of the land-grabbing list, with an astounding sixteen lakh kanals under illegal occupation.

The PAK refugees have other vulnerabilities, too, compared, for example, to Kashmiri Pandit migrants who also left their homeland after turmoil broke out in the Kashmir Valley in the early 90s, migrating to Jammu in large numbers. "We can feel their pain and understand the ordeal they underwent; but at the same time, we must admit that, in sharp contrast, they have been provided every facility by the government - monthly stipend, ex-gratia relief, special job packages and reservations in professional colleges among others," says Dr. Narindra, convener of PAK Refugee Sangharsh Morcha.

According to official statistics, currently Rs. 6,600 is provided to each Kashmiri migrant family as monthly cash relief, in addition to ration. A rough estimate indicates that approximately Rs. 22,665 crore have been paid to 38,119 migrant families registered with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir Relief Organization (Migrants), Jammu, till March, 2012, while 1.25 million PAK refugees have been provided a paltry sum of Rs. 83 crore over the last 65 years.

Above all, the Government of India does not deem them as refugees as it considers PAK as an integral part of the country and therefore, PAK refugees in India are not accorded official refugee status.

Source: http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=19161

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

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/JAndK/PM-s-visit-leaves-refugees-disappointed/Article1-1084204.aspx

Govt serious to settle issues of PoK refugees: Ajaz

JAMMU, Feb 26: Minister of State for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, Ajaz Ahmad Khan today said Government was serious to settle the issues of PoK refugees/ displaced persons of various categories. Chairing a first interactive meeting of concerned officers and representatives of various refugee organizations here today, the Minister stressed the need for urgent redressal of issues confronting the refugee community. He asked the officers to complete all verifications and formalities in a time bound manner so that the records are prepared properly. Mr. Ajaz directed immediate disbursement of cash relief in favour of 353 families of 1947 PoK refugees whose cases were found correct after verifications. He directed the Provincial Rehabilitation Officer to process the verification process of another 1075 unverified cases. On the problem of urban displaced persons, the Minister was told that out of 148 cases received for plot allocations, 48 cases were found to have completed all formalities. He directed re-processing of all applications received till 2004. Assuring the representatives of refugees of a humanistic consideration by the Government, Mr. Ajaz said completion of processes and formalities in this regard would be made time bound and even in the case of other issues matter would be taken up with Central Government also.

Asking the refugee representatives to co operate with the Government, the Minister appealed them to depoliticize their problems which he said are purely humanistic in nature. Present in the meeting were MLC, Ravinder Sharma, former Minister, Manjit Singh, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Dr. Arun Kumar, Commissioner-Secretary, Revenue, B. A Runiyal, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta, Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Kathua and Samba and representatives of various refugee organizations

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/govt-serious-to-settle-issues-of-pok-refugees-ajaz/

West POJK Refugge

Confusion over State Subject Definition of 1927

Refugee Problem

           

Jammu, Feb 23: Refugees from West Pakistan, blame Article 370 and the State Subject Definition of 1927 for their failure to obtain citizenship rights in Jammu & Kashmir. They said so in a seminar on the problems facing the refugees from West Pakistan only the other day held at Press Club Jammu. They were absolutely right. However, it is important to understand the circumstances under which the State Subject laws were enacted in 1927 and the attitude of Kashmiri leadership towards it. A proper understanding on the issue is a must.

The State Subject Definition was introduced by Maharaja Pratap Singh to defeat the questionable intentions of the Kashmiri leadership with the Dogra Sadar Sabha, founded in 1904, playing the most crucial role in the movement leading to the enact of the State Subject laws. Indeed, there were cogent reasons for the Maharaja to enact these laws. For example, the Kashmiri leadership of the time was pressing for "importing educated" members belonging to their community so that they could man all the important and other positions in the state. The Maharaja and his administration, which was roundly criticized by the Punjabi and Anglo-Indian press, had dismissed the demand of the Kashmiri leadership saying "educated" people belonging to both the major communities were available in the state and, hence, their demand was not unjustifiable. And the response of the Kashmiri leadership to the enactment of the State Subject laws was one of great dissatisfaction. In fact, the Kashmiri leadership opposed these laws tooth and nail between 1927 and 1947.

It was only after 1947, when anti-Dogra and anti-Jammu Jawaharlal Nehru got the state power transferred from Jammu to Kashmir using foul means to keep NC president Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in good humour, that the Kashmiri leadership took a complete U-turn on the State Subject question and started opposing tooth and nail the demand seeking abrogation of the State Subject laws. The demand for the abrogation of the State Subject laws was raised in Jammu in particular and the argument the opponents of the State Subject Definition advanced was that since the princely rule in the state had ended and since Jammu & Kashmir had lawfully acceded to the Indian Dominion, it shall be only appropriate if the state was brought at par with other states and people across the nation granted the right to live and work anywhere in the country. They were the same people who had opposed the incorporation of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution on the ground that the grant of special status to the state at the behest of Kashmiri leadership would complicate things for India in Kashmir and enable Pakistan and other hostile nations in the world, including England and United States, to play nefarious games in the region. Notwithstanding the loud clamour in Jammu and Ladakh for bringing the state at par with other states of the country, the Kashmiri leadership supported to the hilt by Nehru & Co incorporated the State Subject laws in the Jammu & Kashmir Constitution, which was enforced on January 26, 1957.

The reasons behind the opposition of the Kashmiri leadership to the demand in Jammu and Ladakh for complete integration into the Indian Constitutional framework are quite understandable considering what has been happening in Kashmir since 1947. They do not want any Indian residing in other parts of India to settle in the state. On the contrary, they are cleaning Kashmir of those who do not subscribe to their ideology and trying to create in Jammu the Kashmir-like situation so that they could tell the international community that the entire state wants to go out of the Constitutional organization of India. Besides, they believe that the grant of citizenship rights to the refugees from West Pakistan would not only enhance Jammu's representation in the Legislative Assembly and change the state's demographic profile. However, it would be wrong to blame the Kashmiri leadership. For, it is doing what it is expected to do. The real culprit is New Delhi. Hence, the refugees should blame New Delhi and not the Kashmiri leadership which can be tackled in no time.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=105731

Rights, relief elude POK Refugees

Jammu, Jan 29: Leaving thousands of PoK refugees high and dry, the government has enhanced cash relief for migrant pandits. The hapless refugees, it may be mentioned, have been struggling hard for their rights for the past ten years. Hundreds of refugees, including senior citizens and ladies who migrated here from the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in 1947, 1965 and 1971 are disappointed as nothing has been given to refugees till date.  Rachh Pal Singh Chib, Gen. Secretary, PoK Refu-gee Front said, "Revenue Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla submitted two memoranda to former Home Minister P. Chidambram in May 2012. Refugees and West Pakistan Refugees and second a Revised package for Kashmiri Pandit Mig-rated from the valley. But the revised Package for KPs was cleared while POK. Refugees and West Pakistan Refugees were left high and dry."

He has accused the government of bias. Threatening agitation, he said the State and Central governments have willfully neglected them, disgraced them and belittled a population of 20 lakh. State Government of Jammu & Kashmir constituted an official committee 'Wadhwa Committee' to look into the pending problems and demands of the PoK. Refugees and West Pakistan Refugees to suggest measures to solve the problems once for all. The report was submitted in 2007 to the Chief Minister of the State.  Five Working Groups were constituted by the Prime Minister of India and they submitted their report recommending comprehensive settlement of PoK and west Pakistani Refugees. Interlocutors headed by Dilip Padgaokar also made recommendations in favor of comprehensive settlement package. But nothing has moved as the refugees continue to suffer

Source: http://www.earlytimeplus.com/newsdet.aspx?q=18

Regressive forces support, oppose the Maharaja simultaneously

WP refugee issue: Bloody agitation threatened --I

Rustam

                                                                                                                                  

JAMMU, Jan 13: Regressive forces in Kashmir are opposing and supporting Maharaja Hari Singh simultaneously. They are supporting him because he in 1927 introduced State Subject Definition with a view to preventing the outsiders from settling in Jammu & Kashmir and acquiring jobs under the state government. Maharaja Hari Singh had taken this step in the wake of the Kashmiri leadership's demand asking the state government to "import educated persons from Punjab and other parts of British India to man all important official positions in the state on the ground that the state already had sufficient educated persons. It was the Dogra Sadar Sabha of the time which had persuaded Maharaja Hari Singh to enact such a piece of legislation to defeat the move of the regressive and communal forces in the Kashmir Valley. The Kashmiri leadership had opposed tooth and nail the State Subject Definition and described it as a conspiracy against the people of Kashmir (barring the minorities like the Kashmiri Hindus).

The attitude of regressive forces in the Valley changed the day the Maharaja acceded Jammu & Kashmir to India. In fact, ever since 1947, the regressive forces in Kashmir, including all Kashmir-based parties and the so-called civil society groups plus commentators and reporters, have been opposing those demanding repeal of the State Subject Definition saying that such a move would be construed by them as a conspiracy against the followers of a particular religious group or members of a particular religious sect and that they will fight against the move with their blood. Even yesterday, they threatened a bloody agitation in case the state government goes in for an amendment in the Jammu & Kashmir Constitution to grant citizenship rights to the refugees from West Pakistan, mostly Dalits.

Taking a strong exception to the otherwise non-existent bill (on the refugee rights), a so-called Kashmir-based civil society group, Kashmir Centre for Social and Developmental Studies (KSCDS), yesterday described the non-existent bill as a "conspiratorial move and a direct attack on the unique ethnic character of the state (read the Valley proper)" and said, "Any erosion of this Article (State Subject Definition sanctioned by the State Constitution and protected by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution) will have disastrous consequences and will be fought against with blood by Kashmiris (read followers of a particular religion) as this is their only protection against being swamped by outsiders. "Besides being illegal and unconstitutional, it is an assault on our (read regressive forces in Kashmir) identity. All political parties in the state should come clear about this grave and sensitive issue without equivocating and politicizing…They must foil this evil attempt tooth and nail keeping in view the larger ramifications of the issue. Congress leaders are warned hereby to desist from carrying out a colonial project to please their masters in Delhi," the KSCDS also said. It, in addition, praised Maharaja Hari Singh and Kashmiri Hindus of the time who had, according to it, made the Maharaja adopt and implement the State Subject Definition.

The KSCDS through its outrageous statement sought to create an impression that the state government at the behest of certain Congress leaders and ministers like Raman Bhalla and Sham Lal Sharma will table a bill in the upcoming session of Jammu & Kashmir legislature and grant "State Subject rights to the West Pakistan refugees". This is a false and politically motivated propaganda. It's true that Revenue Minister Raman Bhalla had last week said that the government will amend the state constitution to grant domicile certificates to these struggling and suffering refugees, but he had gone back on his assurance when many Kashmiri leaders, both "mainstream" and separatist, opposed his solemn commitment. Going back on his promise, the under-attack Revenue Minister had said the West Pakistan refugees will get domicile certificates only after a consensus was evolved on the issue, something that will never happen considering the rabid opposition of the highly communal NC leadership to the otherwise very reasonable, secular and democratic demand. By opposing the refugee issue, the KSCDS, like others in Kashmir, only demonstrated its hatred for all, barring those belonging to the sect to which its members belong. (To be concluded).

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=103745

State subject status to West Pakistan refugees

KSCDS takes exception; calls bill conspiracy, ethnic attack

SRINAGAR, Jan 12: The Kashmir Centre for Social and Developmental Studies (KSCDS), a civil society group, has taken strong exception to the proposed bill likely to be tabled in the state legislature in the upcoming session, for granting state subject status to the West Pakistan refugees settled in Jammu and Kashmir. Terming the bill as a conspiratorial move and a direct attack on the unique ethnic character of the state, the groups said the special status to the state has been sanctified by state constitution and protected by article 370 of Indian constitution.

“State subject certificate was first introduced by Maharaja in April 20, 1927 in the backdrop of apprehension of dominance by the Punjabis from West Punjab and alerted on this possibility by the Pandit community of the day .Any erosion of this article will have disastrous consequences and will be fought against with blood by Kashmiris as this is their only protection against being swamped away by outsiders, be they muslims or hindus”, the KSCDS said in a statement issued here after its emergency meetingr. They called upon all the political parties in the state to clear their stand on the bill. “Besides being illegal and unconstitutional it is an assault on our identity. All the political parties of the state should come clear about this grave and sensitive issue with out equivocating and politicking,” the statement said.  “They must foil this evil attempt tooth and nail keeping in view the larger ramifications of the issue. Congress legislators are warned hereby to desist from carrying out a colonial project to please their masters in Delhi,” the statement added.

Source: http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=10967

The pain of being homeless

Of West Pakistan refugees and Kashmir ISSUE

DR.MIRZA ASHRAF BEG

Since the painful exit of Adam from the heavens the greatest desire of the mankind has been to make a home of its own. Despite this there are homeless all over the world including the most developed countries like US. As there are man-made boundaries these tragedies need be addressed on the basis of logic and wisdom for a long term solution. If we don’t follow rules and regulations there is bound to be chaos and anarchy in the world.

These days there is a lot of hue and cry regarding the settlement of the refugees from West Pakistan in J&K? Before expecting a way out we need to go into the historical background of these unfortunate people and the partition of India resulting in the continuation of special status of J&K and Article 370 of Indian constitution. Going a bit deeper, despite some manipulations in the past, J&K constitution and the Indian constitution are hinged together on certain defined principles. The more you tamper with these set rules the more we lead in to complications regarding relations between J&K and union of India. Having said that Article 370 of J&K constitution has its origin in the feudal system of Dogra rule hence is more mature than Indian constitution itself. That way the said article safeguards the interests of the state subjects of J&K irrespective of their cast creed or ethnicity. Hence it is incumbent on the state subjects to safeguard their interests irrespective of the fact weather they are from Ladakh or Jammu or they hail from the Muslim majority valley of Kashmir. At the same time nobody has a right to oppose the entry of displaced refugees of West Pakistan on the basis of their cast or creed or their ethnicity.

The point of discussion is just application of Article 370 of Indian constitution and its relationship with the constitution of J&K. Just to refresh here the two constitutions agree on protecting the rights of state subjects and gives guarantees that a non-state subject can in no case acquire the state subject status whatever. Hence political parties having different approaches to a common problem need to do some homework lest they come to a deadlock.

India is a large country with huge resources and a great foresight. It may not be difficult to rehabilitate these unfortunate victims of the partition at any other feasible site based on their origin of area of displacement. We need to remember that we have constructed housing colonies for displaced Kashmiri Pundits either in the valley of Kashmir or in Jammu based on their status of state subject. Nobody asked for their rehabilitation in other states of India and that was not a sensible solution at all. It will be very unfortunate to communalize the issues of human sufferings and connecting everything to the two nation theory of partition. Let us not behave as robots with a mindset?

It is also being argued that these refugees from West Pakistan be given property rights on the properties of the displaced state subjects that migrated to the other side of cease fire line in 1947. Here again we need to refresh our knowledge regarding international law at a time when Kashmir issue is still pending in United Nations that guaranties your rights on property and other related issues. That is why pending final settlement of J&K the state government in 1947 handed over these properties to the evacuee department of custodians with the result nobody can sell or buy these properties till date. We need to understand that we can give only what we have! We also need to remember that the state of J&K was not divided on the principal of two nation theory the way India got divided in 1947. The division of the state was the result of tribal invasion leading to UN intervention and a cease fire between India and Pakistan. That is why we have a line of control separating the two parts of the state and a final settlement of J&K is awaited.

There is a genuine point that these refugees are practically homeless for over sixty five years and we have to consider their rehabilitation. This also is a fact that since elections are round the corner political organizations have their agendas to hoodwink these gullible. It is incumbent on government of India to rehabilitate these homeless somewhere in India where they have legal rights for their future generations and not just a green-card to live in the green pastures of J&K.

(The columnist is the writer of the book, ‘Kashmir in search of peace,’)  

Source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Jan/15/the-pain-of-being-homeless-5.asp

PRC issue puts Govt in tight spot

West Pakistan Refugees Are Not JK Residents: Sagar

Jammu, Jan 7: The issue of granting Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to West Pakistan refugees is set to snowball into a major political controversy besides bringing coalition partners Congress and National Conference (NC) head-on, as the government Monday made it clear that it has no plans to bring any constitutional amendment in this regard as the West Pakistan refugees are not residents of Jammu and Kashmir. Rebuffing its coalition partner Congress on granting Permanent Resident Certificates (PRC) to West Pakistan refugees, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Sagar Monday said; “Anybody was free to bring a Bill in the legislature in this regard, but the government has no plans to do it on its own.”  “As far as amendment is concerned, anyone can bring the Bill,” Sagar said but hastened to add, “Where is the two thirds majority that is required to amend the constitution?” “West Pakistan refugees are not the residents of Jammu and Kashmir and as such there is no question of giving them PRCs”, Sagar said, when his attention was drawn towards the statement of a Congress minister in this regard. “Granting PRCs to West Pakistan refugees doesn’t come under the ambit of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir as they are not the residents of our state’, Sagar added.

He also said that it is an issue which comes under the purview of Government of India and therefore, the onus lies with the central government to settle the issue.

However, he added that the Chief Minister had already expressed his concern about the problems being faced by the West Pakistan refuges ever since they had been displaced. “In this regard CM has already requested the Government of India to settle the issue”, he said. 

Source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2013/Jan/8/prc-issue-puts-govt-in-tight-spot-34.asp

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

WP refugees' struggle for rights and NC & Congress

Rustam

JAMMU, Dec 23: It was almost 65 years ago that the under-threat non-Muslims, including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, quit their homes and Hearths in Pakistan and migrated to different parts of India. Thousands of them - mostly members of the Scheduled Caste community -- migrated to Jammu region to escape the wrath of Muslim fanatics. Those who migrated to other parts of India got all the rights the other Indians had been enjoying and became full-fledged citizens of the country with some of them reaching top positions. The present Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, too, had migrated from Pakistan. He became Prime Minister in 2004 without even contesting the Lok Sabha election. (AICC president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi appointed him as Prime Minister. Manmohan Singh is the first Indian to become Prime Minister without contesting election to the Lok Sabha. Remember, he cannot cast his vote in the Lok Sabha in case the opposition moves a motion of no-confidence against his "secular" government.)

Those who migrated to Jammu continue to lead a wretched life even after 65 years of their migration to Jammu region, part of the so-called democratic and secular Indian State. They are no more than third grade subjects. They do not have the right to own immovable property in the state. They do not have the right to obtain job under the state government. They do not have the right to avail bank loan facilities. They do not have the right to vote in the assembly election as well as elections to local bodies, including municipalities and corporations. Their sons and daughters do not have the right to acquire higher and technical education in the state-run and state-aided institutions. The fact of the matter is that the "democratic and secular" Indian State, which has been under the baneful influence of votaries of special status, has deprived the refugees from West Pakistan even of their normal civil and political rights. To be more precise, the "secular" Indian State under pressure from the regressive forces in Kashmir has been violating the human rights of these hounded out and persecuted refugees ever since their migration to Jammu. All the efforts put in by these refugees during all these years to obtain normal citizenship rights have gone down the drain, as the Kashmiri leadership and its handful of supporters in Jammu have vehemently opposed their demand.

Only the other day, the additional general secretary of the pro-autonomy or pro-semi-independence National Conference (NC), which has been invariably dubbing as "communal" the parties like People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), opposed tooth and nail the secular and democratic demand of the West Pakistan refugees. "We will oppose the settlement of West Pakistan refugees in J&K tooth and nail. The move will cause a major damage to the Article 370 and the Constitution of J&K," Mustafa Kamaal told a local daily. He also reportedly said that the "law that disallows the settlement of West Pakistan refugees was enacted by the then Maharaja of J&K Hari Singh at the behest of Kashmiri Pandits" and the same could not be amended and violated. "The law has logic as we can't allow non-state subjects to settle in J&K. If they are allowed to live here, they will buy properties, including land, which is in violation of our constitution," he, in fact, said conveniently forgetting that thousands of Kashmiri Muslims, besides Hindus, have settled in other parts of the country enjoying all the rights, including the right to vote, service and immovable property. Kamaal made these out-and-out outrageous and communal statements in response to some reports in the media that certain Jammu-based Congress leaders had three-four days ago lobbied in New Delhi with the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on behalf of these hapless refugees. He shamelessly accused the Jammu-based Congress leaders of raking up the issue for "vote-bank politics aimed at weakening the State Constitution".

It was not only Mustafa Kamaal who opposed tooth and nail the refugees' demand. Even JKPCC president and former NC leader Saif-ud-Din Soz did not take a clear stand on the issue of great import as far as the future of these refugees was concerned when asked by a correspondent of a local daily. "The refugees have to be rehabilitated as per the rules of the both governments," he was reported as saying, thus leaving none in any doubt that he doesn't really share the view of those from Jammu who sought "living rights" for these refugees. The fact that he referred to the State Constitution was a clear indication that he only shared the views of the NC, which he served for years and that his stand was no different from the stand of other Kashmiri leaders on the issue.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=102644

J&K to consider conferment of permanent resident status to West Pak refugees

Dec 17: The Centre has urged to State Government to consider conferment of permanent resident status and other basic rights to West Pak refugees. As per the minutes of meeting issued by Ministry of Union Home Affairs recently to review the action taken to redress the grievances of West Pakistan refugees and implementation of relief package for displaced persons (DPs) of 1947, 1965 and 1971 from PoK. The Union Home Ministry in its decision has urged the State Government to grant these refugees who have been deprived of their basic rights right from 1947, the right to contest State elections, right to purchase property in the State, right to admission in professional colleges and right to recruitment to State services.

The MHA has also urged the State Government to streamline the procedure for issue of domicile certificates to West Pakistani refugees and if necessary devise a proper format for such certificates so that the West Pakistani refugees could claim age relaxation for recruitment to Central Government services. Similarly it urged the State Government to streamline the procedure for issuance of SC/ST/OBC certificates so that such caste certificates are expeditiously issued to eligible West Pak refugees. Regarding the grant of admission to the children of West Pak refugees in the professional colleges of the State the Centre has urged the State Government to issue appropriate orders in this regard. Besides the State Government was urged to examine feasibility of allocating certain percentage of seats in the institutions for admission of children of these refugees.

Among the decision taken in the Union Home Ministry meeting the State Government was asked to inform Ministry of Home Affairs about the number of families to whom benefits under Centrally Sponsored Schemes including IAY have been extended in the last three years.

Regarding the extension of credit facilities to West Pak refugees without collateral security the concerned DCs have been asked to discuss the same in district level Coordination Committee meeting where the banks would be advised to consider to extend such credit facilities to the refugees. The MHA has also advised the CGTMSE to impress upon the MLIs operating in the State to extend credit facilities to West Pakistan refugees under Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS). It has also sought information from State Government regarding total number of West Pak refugees for their rehabilitation. Besides it sought details of other assistance provided to West Pak refugees.

The State Government has also been asked to consider additional claims of DPs of 1947 for compensation in lieu of land deficiency received in the year 2004 and additional 640 applications of urban DPs for allotment of plots received after the State Government would consider the cut off date expeditiously.  Further it urged the State Government to utilize the balance amount of the assistance provided by Central Government for rehabilitation of DPs of 1947.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=102370

Mirpur Shaheedi Diwas observed

JAMMU, Nov 24: Mirpur Mahajan Sabha, Jammu observed Mirpur Shaheedi Diwas with traditional fervor and gaiety. A large number of Mirpuris assembled at the Mirpur Shaheed Samarak at Maheshpura, Jammu to pay floral tributes to the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice on this day sixty five years ago. The various speakers led by Sanjay Gupta President of the Sabha eulogized the sacrifices of martyrs and exhorted the participants to follow their footsteps. The participation of the Ex-Servicemen League in the function added grace to the occasion. The students along with the bands of the Shiksha Bhawan Higher Secondary School and the Spring Blossom Public School, Bakshi Nagar rented the air with patriotic slogans and music. In a rally from Mahesh pura, the participants moved to Samiriti Bhawan (Ram Mandir) Gurha Bakshi Nagar Jammu where a blood donation camp and a free medical check up camp was organized.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=101046

West Pakistan Refugee’s –Slaves in Free India

*West Pakistan Refugee’s –Slaves in Free India*

It was Partition time of 1947 in India; millions were crossing over to either side. It was bloody trail- thousands of innocents were killed andmany more were raped, maimed and looted. Fear, haplessness and desperationwere the companions of millions pouring into India at that time. When the
land on which they were born was declared foreign overnight by the leaders,the hapless people had to run across the borders in search of their newhomeland. They came to Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi on the Western
side and Bengal, Assam and Tripura on the East.
They were very lucky as they were received by the people and Government ofIndia as well, and were helped in rebuilding their lives.This story is not about those lucky millions; it is about some unlucky lakhswhose biggest mistake in life was to stray away a few score kilometers intoa land that is de jure an integral part of our country but de facto not.
These thousands of hapless refugees had entered Jammu & Kashmir state at the
time of Partition thinking that they were entering India. Little did they realize that it would turn out to be the worst nightmare of their lives.It has been 63 years since they have entered the State of Jammu & Kashmir after the partition of India in 1947 from district Sialkot (West Punjab) which is  now called as West Pakistan. Unlike their brother-refugees (PoK
Refugees) these unfortunate ones have still not been recognized by the stategovernment of J&K as state subjects. This is a tragedy of these people, who
have been aptly described as "Slave People of a Free Country".

*These West Pakistan Refugees, 80 per cent of whom are Scheduled Caste Hindus, number around 250,000 today, have still not been recognized as the
citizens of Jammu & Kashmir. While the other refugees from the same part of West Pakistan those went to other states of India have completely integrated as citizens. These people in Jammu & Kashmir have been left stateless even to this day. Three generations of these refugees in Jammu & Kashmir have

been denied basic human rights like:-

1)The right of Citizenship.

2) The right to employment.

3) The right to education.

4) Ownership of property and

5) Political participation in elections.

6) Reserve Category Certificates

*The West Pakistan refugees who settled in other parts of India (other than

J&K) received substantial rehabilitation packages and had opportunities torise to power like Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, these refugees on the other hand continue to live even today like ‘slave people of a free country’. Today’s situation of the West Pakistan refugees in Jammu &Kashmir is one where their future still seems bleak. Left homeless by the
State Government and with the indecisiveness of the Central Government to take corrective measures, they have been isolated. *