news details |
|
|
| Demographic change debate intensifies as high-level panel wraps up Jammu’s visit | | | Mahim Gupta
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 12: The High-Level Committee on Demographic Change concluded its three-day visit to Jammu on Wednesday after holding extensive interactions with various sections of society and visiting areas witnessing significant demographic and social changes.
During its stay in Jammu, the committee, headed by retired Justice Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar, met representatives of political, social, religious, community and civil society organisations to gather first-hand information about demographic trends and the issues being faced by different sections of the population. As part of its field visit, the panel visited Jagti township, a major settlement of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, where it interacted with members of the displaced community and heard about their experiences, concerns and the changes they have witnessed in their native places since their displacement from the Kashmir Valley. The committee also visited a locality where Rohingya refugees are residing and is understood to have gathered information about their settlement, living conditions and the circumstances surrounding their presence in Jammu.
During their interactions with the committee, several organisations and community representatives raised concerns over what they described as a systematic change in the demographic composition of different parts of the Jammu region.
Representatives highlighted issues relating to migration, settlement patterns, the influx of people from outside the region, alleged illegal immigration and the impact of such developments on local communities, land, employment and available resources.
Several delegations also urged the committee to examine demographic changes at the grassroots level rather than relying s The committee has been given one year to submit its report. Its three-day Jammu visit is expected to form an important part of its assessment, with the representations and field observations gathered during the visit likely to be examined alongside official data and records.
The concerns regarding the presence and settlement of Rohingyas also figured prominently during the interactions. Organisations urged the committee to examine the circumstances under which such settlements came up and to assess their implications for the region's security, resources and demographic profile.
The visit to Jagti provided the panel an opportunity to understand the concerns of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, particularly regarding their displacement, rehabilitation and the continuing changes in the demographic and socio-economic conditions of the Valley.
The committee also interacted with officials and examined presentations and records relating to demographic trends, migration, settlement patterns and security-related issues.
The panel was constituted by the Centre on May 26, 2026, to undertake a comprehensive study of demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir. Besides Justice Navlekar, its members include Census Commissioner and former senior bureaucrat Durga Shankar Mishra, retired IPS officer Balaji Srivastava and economist Dr Shamika Ravi.
The committee has been given one year to submit its report. Its three-day Jammu visit is expected to form an important part of its assessment, with the representations and field observations gathered during the visit likely to be examined alongside official data and records.
The committee is expected to undertake further consultations and examine the material collected during its interactions before finalising its recommendations on demographic change in Jammu and Kashmir. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
