PoJK DPs stage protest, demand one time settlement package

Excelsior Correspondent

PoJK refugees during a protest near Press Club, Jammu on Monday.          -Excelsior/ Rakesh
PoJK refugees during a protest near Press Club, Jammu on Monday. -Excelsior/ Rakesh

JAMMU, Sept 7: The displaced persons (DPs) from Pak occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) today held a strong protest demonstration near Press Club here today in support of their demand of one time settlement package.
A large number of displaced persons including women activists under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir PoJK DPs Front-1947, 65 & 71 assembled in front of Press Club and started protest demonstration under the leadership of Rachhpal Singh Chib, president of the Front.
The displaced persons shouted slogans against the Government alleging that it has failed to mitigate the sufferings of thousands of displaced families struggling for their rights for the last over six decades. They demanded one time comprehensive settlement of the PoJK displaced families. The protesters were carrying banners and placards in their hands depicting demands.
In his address, Chib appealed all the bodies of DPs to get united for their common cause. He alleged that NC-Congress befooled them by forwarding package to Delhi. It was just game plan to grab the vote bank of refugees. He said that now BJP was also dragging its feet. He asked the DPs to remain united on the issue.
The refugee leader also condemned the dubious role of PRO Jammu for allegedly stalling the process of implementation of Financial Package. He said the former PRO had initiated the process of providing compensation against deficiency of land during October 2013 but no notification was issued in this regard asking DPs to submit their claims.
The applications were taken through touts and many deserving people were left out. He demanded that the left out DP families be registered without any delay, ownership rights to the DPs of 1947, 65 and 71 be given to all the DPs residing in Kathua, Samba, Jammu and other parts of the region. Chib also sought reservation for the DP youth in professional and other colleges and institutes besides universities and in Government jobs.