PoK refugees protest, over 200 courted arrest

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, June 5: Refugees from Pak Occupied Kashmir, now residing in different parts of Jammu region, held massive protest demonstration and then courted arrest at Bakshi Nagar here today.
A large number of members of refugee families from Bhimber, Chhamb, Deva Batala, Kotli, Mirpur, Muzaffrabad etc assembled under the banner of PoK Refugee Front 1947, 1965, 1971 at Maheshpura Chowk near Govt Medical College, Bakshi Nagar and held protest demonstration. They were carrying banners and placards depicting their demands in their hands.
Led by its president and general secretary, Rashpal Singh Chib, the refugee members including large number of women, also took out a protest rally. Both the refugee leaders addressed the gathering and criticized Omar Abdullah led Coalition Government for ignoring the issues of the refugees from PoK. They alleged that not only, NC but PDP and Congress has also duped these refugees and for the last many decades they are still waiting for comprehensive settlement.
Mr Chib in his address claimed that Omar led Government has constituted a Cabinet Sub-committee to prepare a report for implementation of autonomy in the State which may empower him to become Prime Minister of the State and seek appointment of Governor of his choice. Both the Valley based parties have their agenda to call back over 5 lakh evacuees of 1947 to the State and destablize over 20 lakhs refugees living in this part of the State. NC and PDP would never want to do justice with refugees. Moreover, Congress has only offered lip sympathy with refugees. He appealed all the refugees from State to get united and wage a collective fight to get justice.
Later, in the shape of rally, nearly 200-250 refugees moved to the Bakshi Nagar Police Station after passing through main market and courted arrest. However, they were let off soon.