Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 19: The chairman of SOS International, an organization for PoK displaced persons, Rajiv Chuni today said that displaced families should now shun celebrations and focus on the final goal.
Addressing a rally of DPs here today, the refugee leader said that the meager relief of Rs 2000 crore has not come overnight; it is the outcome of years of continuous efforts of SOS International. The tiny relief announced is not success but just a beginning to reach towards our ultimate goal.
“If this process of providing justice carries on with this momentum, I don’t think it will be accomplished by next two generations. People are celebrating and considering it as their success but I would like to tell them, it is not success but mere a step forward. PoK refugees should focus on their final goal instead of celebrating it,” he added.
” Our children’s future is in doldrums. We have to rise and explore opportunities so that our children’s future can be protected,” he stated.
Chuni further said that there is a very large vote bank of PoK refugees as they are 12 lakh in numbers. Over ten lakh are residing in Jammu & Kashmir State and rest two lakhs in various parts of the country. ” Every time, PoK refugees were used by various political parties. In Parliamentary and Assembly elections, PoK refugees have not been accommodated. Once we get united, all political parties will realize our strength,” he added
On the occasion Pt Sita Ram Sharma was declared as president for district Poonch of SOS International.
The major points raised during rally included early release of rest of the amount and implementation of other components of PoK DPs package recommended by the State Cabinet in October 2014, 5300 families of PoK displaced persons settled outside the State must be included in this package, Constitute Mirpur, Muzaffarabad and Poonch Scouts, constitute a separate committee for disbursements of relief to 1947 PoK DPs consisting of distinguish Government officers besides, members from registered NGOs working for the welfare of PoK DPs, constitute a PoK Displaced Persons Development Board, reserve seats for PoK displaced persons J&K in Legislative Assembly and Council etc.
Capt Ravinder Kumar, Sharda Devi, Vijay Guru, Shiv Kumar, Rajinder Kumar, Pt. Lekh Raj, Harjeet Singh, Capt Balraj, Badri Nath, Som Raj and Rajesh Sharma also spoke on the occasion.