
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 15: Former Minister and president of the All Jammu and Kashmir Jatt Sabha, Manjit Singh, has demanded a special recruitment drive for the youth living in the border areas of the Jammu division.
The demand was raised during a meeting of Jatt Sabha members, held to conduct threadbare deliberations regarding the social, economic, and political situation of the Jatt community. The meeting was organized by Parveen Choudhary and Naresh Choudhary in Kattal Gujjran village, Tehsil Hiranagar, in District Kathua.
Addressing the gathering, Manjit Singh stated that youth from border areas should be given the opportunity to join the Indian Army, Paramilitary forces, and J&K Police through a dedicated recruitment drive.
“Unemployment is on the rise. Youth from the Jatt Community and Displaced Persons (DPs) should be provided opportunities in the police and other security forces, considering their significant contribution to the nation as residents of the border belt,” the former minister said, expressing concern over the delay in addressing these long-standing demands.
Choudhary Sukhnandan, former Minister and senior vice president, highlighted the issue of OBC status benefits. He noted that Jatt youth are currently not receiving OBC benefits for Central Government jobs or in professional institutes across the country, despite their eligibility.
Choudhary Garu Ram, former Minister and senior vice president of the Sabha, also addressed the meeting. He demanded the installation of statues of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh in the Jammu and Kathua districts, noting that the Maharaja’s rule extended to Lahore and predated the Dogra rule in J&K.
Former DDC Taranjit Singh Tony demanded the release of the full and final financial installments for displaced persons. He argued that Rs 5.5 lakh provided per family was inadequate and did not align with the package originally sanctioned by the Central Government.
Prominent attendees included Dwarka Choudhary, Kamal Randhawa, Jarnail Choudhary, Rakesh Choudhary (Hiranagar), Bachan Choudhary (District president, Samba), youth leader Naveen Choudhary and others.