Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: Displaced persons from Pak occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) held protest demonstration against the Provincial Rehabilitation Officer (PRO) and the Government here today.
A large number of displaced persons led by refugee leader, Rachhpal Singh Chib, assembled outside the office of PRO here today and started protest demonstration. They were shouting slogans against the Rehabilitation Officer for his anti-refugee attitude and causing them massive damage by not disbursing the financial package of relief and aid sanctioned by Government of India during NDA rule at the Centre in the year 2000.
Rachhpal Singh Chib while addressing the protesters claimed that Govt sanctioned relief package under No. 33 (2) 97 settlement on August 9, 2000 and conveyed it to the State Government. The former PRO Jammu did not initiate the process for implementation of four components of the financial relief. No notification was published by the then PRO Jammu inviting the claim applications from the eligible DPs. Over 60,000 DP families were deprived of the Central package/ assistance. The PRO disbursed the aid/ compensation in lieu of the deficiency of the land allotted to the DPs of 1947 Indo-Pak war, amounting to about Rs 100 crores without any notification to the DPs, which indicates corruption and misuse of official power by the said officer.
The refugee leader demanded high level inquiry into the matter and action against the guilty officials. He claimed that Jammu and Kashmir PoJK Front will continue protests/ dharnas till the inquiry is initiated by the Central/ State Government. The Front leaders appealed the Revenue and Relief Minister to hold an inquiry into the matter.
A large number of women activists also joined the protest. After holding demonstration and dharna for about three hours, the refugees dispersed.
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