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| Time to settle the 'unsettled' | | | O P Sharma
The Government must urgently address to the long pending problem of large chunk of our population in Jammu and Kashmir unsettled during 1947, Indo-Pak conflicts of 1965, 1971 and subsequent onset of Proxy War from across the border and start up militant turbulence in our sensitive in our State leading to migration from Kashmir valley and also some parts in Jammu region also. These uprooted families are still suffering even after long years the state of not fully rehabilitated and permanently settled. A generation of such unfortunate families have faced the hardships of being in an unsettled conditions.
Final settlement of PoK, West Pakistan refugees numbering nearly 9824 are languishing in J&K State since 1947, return of Kashmir migrants as well too lingers on till date.
The problems of refugees is causing great concern as they have been suffering hardships for a long period. There cause has been raised in the State Legislature and the Parliament and the successive Governments have been holding promises but now permanent settlement done for them. The refugees too have been protesting their voice and drawing attention of Government. Giving due rights to the West Pakistan refugees on humanitarian consideration is essential. The issue of resettlement of Kashmiris migrants has also to be tackled keeping in mind the dignity and security.
The present regimes in the State as well as in New Delhi had committed during the elections for providing fair deal to all of them. The problem of the West Pakistan refugees has to be dealt with on humanitarian ground as these refugees, who are already residing in J&K for over 68 years, have right of franchise in the Parliamentary elections but are denied voting rights in the J&K Assembly elections. This is a must-do task before the State Government as well as the Centre.
According to official sources, the refugees of 1947 from Pok number 31619, while during 1965 Indo-Pak conflicts 4061families displaced and in the year 1971 number of refugees were 9442.
The State Government is contemplating to take steps for their final settlement in close cooperation and coordination with the Centre as it forms a must-do task in the Agenda for Alliance between the PDP and BJP. As per reports a detailed package is being worked out. All such unfortunate citizens must be provided all possible facilitation for their rehabilitation, at the sooner than later.
The Central Government has promised that Kashmiri Pandits will return to the Kashmir valley from where they migrated due to rise of militancy and turbulent conditions prevailing there over 25 years back. They are the original resident of the Kashmir valley. Even the majority of Muslim community and various shades of political leaders have welcomed the return of the Kashmiri Pandits to their homes in Kashmir valley.
The Central Government in close cooperation with the Mufti Government should work out a plan for safe and dignified returns of the migrants. It may be recalled that a total of 41,717 families comprising of 37,128 Hindus, 2246 Muslims, 1738 Sikhs and five others families left their hearths and homes in 1990 after the onset of militancy in Kashmir valley. There were a total of 1,49,138 souls registered by Relief Organization, Jammu and also 21,333 families in different places of the country. Most of them were Kashmiri Pandits besides others comprised Muslims and Sikhs. They had fled on potential threats to their lives, honour and property. Many had been killed during the militancy. In face of grave threats led to their flight from the Valley to other parts like Jammu and other cities across India. The people of Jammu had given them all possible shelter and support. They were kept in camps in Jammu and Udhampur while others got settled in rest of the country. The Government, while providing them relief, there was also assurance of their return to the Kashmir valley with due safety and dignity. Since their migration in 1989-90, the Government has been providing the migrants cash relief and ration. For accommodation a township has been built at Jagti on the outskirts of Jammu for settlement of some Kashmiri migrants, while others lives in Jammu, Delhi, Udhampur and few other places. Various organizations of Kashmir migrants have been demanding their re-settlement. While Panun Kashmir has asked for separate homeland in Kashmir, other associations are for their re-settlement in safety and dignity in the Kashmir valley. They have been given reserved seats in professional and other educational institutions.
On the re-settlement of Kashmiri migrants in the Valley, some of the separatists' outfits have opposed the settlement of Kashmiri Pandits in separate colonies and even expressed apprehensions. Such outfits have resorted to protests and organized hartals in Kashmir. Even the Pakistan also objected to return home of Kashmiri Pandits as violative of the UN resolution and as an attempt for demographic change. But rightly the Indian Finance and I&B Minister, Arun Jaitley has asserted that Kashmiri Pandits, Muslims and Sikhs are very integral part of the Kashmir and do have every right to return to their homes. The Supreme Court has directed that migrants of Jammu region uprooted due to militancy must be provided adequate facilities on the pattern of Kashmiri migrants but the State administration has select over this matter so far.
The Central and State Governments have to accord approval to final settlement of refugees from Pakistan including from the West Pakistan without the further loss of time. These refugees have suffered for over six decades and must be provided much needed relief now. The Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed has held out commitment a number of times and it was in the manifestos of both PDP, BJP and almost all other political parties. It is right time that these critical matters be settled once for all now. |
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