Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: The Sangarsh Samiti representing the displaced persons (DPs) from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) today highlighted the alleged non-issuance of ST-2 certificates to eligible families settled in Jammu and Kathua districts under the Pahari Ethnic Group category.
Addressing a press conference, representatives of the Samiti said that despite being part of the same ethnic community, many PoJK displaced families living in Jammu and Kathua are reportedly being denied ST-2 certificates.
They claimed this has created discrimination within the community, as similar families settled in Rajouri and Poonch districts are receiving the benefits.
Speakers presented data alleging discrepancies in population records and census figures.
They pointed out that the 2011 Census reportedly showed zero Pahari-speaking population in Jammu district, while an RTI reply from the Ministry of Home Affairs indicated the presence of around 18,000 such residents.
The speakers also referred to changes in reservation rules. They said that the earlier provisions under the 2018 Act allowed displaced Pahari applicants to use revenue records of their ancestral areas for verification.
However, they alleged that subsequent orders, including S.O. 176 of 2024, require proof such as clan or tribe identity, Pahari as mother tongue and supporting documents like Aadhaar, which many displaced families find difficult to provide.
The Samiti urged the administration to ensure uniform issuance of ST-2 certificates across all districts and demanded that displaced families in Jammu and Kathua also be granted the same benefits as those in Rajouri and Poonch.
The committee includes Inderjeet Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Amrit Bali, Dr. Manhor Sharma, Vijay Sharma, Rohit Khajuria, S. Dara Singh, S. Ravinder Singh, Ankush Raina, Tushar Sharma, Anmol Raina, Ankit Sharma, Rajinder Singh, Sunny Sharma, Happy Raina and Santosh Sharma.
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