Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has determined to regularise the colonies populated by refugees from Pakistan-occupiedKashmir (PoK), who have been granted citizenship and equal voting rights in 2019.
“Displaced families of PoK have suffered a lot. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji understood their sufferings and made arrangements for their financial support and settlement, and access to social security schemes. Steps will be taken to regularise the colonies of displaced families,” J&Ok Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha stated, whereas inaugurating a particular governance camp for displaced individuals from PoK in Jammu. He described PoK as an integral half of India. “Commitment made in Parliament regarding PoK will soon be fulfilled by the blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi and Baba Amarnath,” he stated.
Mr. Sinha stated that on August 5, 2019, Mr. Modi had ended the decades-long injustice and supplied equal alternatives to the Valmiki, Gorkha and Safai Karamchari communities, and displaced individuals. “Several communities were denied voting rights and other rights of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution. Many generations were treated as second-class citizens. After August 2019, they were given equal rights and equal opportunities are being provided to all,” stated the Lt. Governor.
According to official figures, 36,384 households, who have been displaced from PoK and Chhamb in 1947, are settled in J&Ok. Prior to the Centre’s determination to finish J&Ok’s particular standing in 2019, these refugees weren’t allowed to vote in Assembly elections or purchase property in J&Ok. Mr. Sinha stated the federal government would assemble Smriti Bhawan within the reminiscence of the martyrs of PoK.
According to the J&Ok authorities’s report, displaced PoK individuals have been settled over 6.80 lakh kanals (84,999.99 acres) of land and about 2.43 lakh kanals (30,374.99 acres) in Udhampur, Rajouri, Jammu, Poonch and Kathua districts.
Mr. Sinha stated the federal government would assemble a Smriti Bhawan within the reminiscence of martyrs of PoK. “Every effort will be made to preserve and promote the culture and traditions of displaced families. Land has already been identified and soon the construction work will start,” the L-G stated.
Paying homage to civilians who have been killed in October 1947 “in a terror attack by Pakistan”, Mr. Sinha stated, “We remember their supreme sacrifices and understand pain and sufferings of displaced families. It is our responsibility to secure their rights and build an enabling environment to fulfil the aspirations of the young generation from the community.”
He stated the event of a brand new J&Ok would be incomplete with out full integration of PoK-displaced individuals within the mainstream improvement. “We are committed to ensuring the welfare and well-being of all so they can realise their true potential and contribute to nation building,” he stated.
Mr. Sinha stated greater than 21,000 domicile certificates have been issued via camps in Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. “We will continuously run such camps in Jammu and Kashmir and other States/Union Territories so that all the affected families can get the benefits of government welfare schemes,” he added.
