Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, July 9: The Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKSAC) unit of district Kathua held a massive demonstration today, demanding issuance of Schedule Tribe-2 (ST-2) certificates to Pahari-speaking Displaced Persons (DPs) of 1947 from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
A large number of DPs from Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar assembled at Shahidi Park, Kathua, and marched towards the DC office to press for their long-pending demands.
The protestors raised slogans against the administration for delaying the issuance of ST-2 certificates, despite clear rules following the amendment to the Constitution (J&K) Scheduled Tribe Order in 2024.
The protest was led by JKSAC President Gurdev Singh along with senior leaders including Bhushan Sharma, Giani Harjeet Singh, Dr Paramjit Sharma, Darshan Kumar, Master Tej Ram, and Ashok Sharma.
They accused the authorities of deliberately withholding ST-2 certificates from eligible applicants, even though all required documents and procedures had been duly completed.
Gurdev Singh reminded that a reply given in the Legislative Assembly by the concerned Minister on April 8, 2025, had clearly stated that “area is not a criterion” for the issuance of Pahari Speaking/ST-2 certificates.
He said that displaced families from PoJK share the same culture, language, and ethnic identity as those in Rajouri and Poonch, and must not be excluded from the benefits.
He also urged the Chief Minister and Lieutenant Governor of J&K to intervene immediately and direct district authorities in the eight Jammu province districts to issue the ST-2 certificates without delay, removing all confusion and ensuring justice to the DPs who have suffered displacement and loss since 1947.
The protestors also demanded early implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Home Affairs Report No. 183 for final rehabilitation of DPs.
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