Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 12: Chairman SOS International – an organization for PoK Displaced Persons (DPs), Rajiv Chuni submitted a memorandum to Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on behest of PoK DPs in presence of PoK DPs and other office bearers of district Reasi and Udhampur at Gole Market, Udhampur today.
In the memorandum, some of the genuine problems and demands of PoK Displaced Persons for scrutiny and appropriate action were highlighted. After submitting the memorandum, Chuni said it was handed over to Dr Singh so that it must reach the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Home Minister, Rajnath Singh.
He further said that PoK DPs who are 13 lakh in number were forcefully thrown out from their ancestral places – Mirpur, Muzaffarabad etc and forced to spend their lives in inhumane conditions and now, these erstwhile places of J&K are placed under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. He demanded to set up PoK DPs Development Board in order to preserve cultural, linguistic and social identities as these have been eroded with passage of time.
“The whole BJP leadership of State has shown concern for Valley migrants, nobody took the trouble to talk about the plights of PoK DPs. Valley migrants are given all kinds of relief whether it’s monthly cash assistance, free ration, reservation to wards in technical and professional colleges across India, employment package, and many more but PoK DPs are kept at bay nothing is given to them,” he alleged.
He further said that organizational general secretary Ashok Koul has become the epitome of discrimination as he only talks about Kashmiri Pandits. He has nothing to do with other communities especially PoK DPs. He has become the flag bearer of recently happened event of giving permission to KPs to visit religious places locating in PoK. The temple of Sharda Peeth is sign of faith for PoK DPs and we all pray to our goddess. It is very unfortunate that KPs are given everything they ask for. Government has kept this demand of visiting temples and religious places in PoK on top priority that is absolutely unfortunate.
He stated that cash amount of Rs 5. 50 lakh is going on snail’s pace after the announcement and only 25% PoK DPs have been covered under it and if disbursal of cash assistance goes on this speed, it will take more than 10 years to execute it. He urged to expedite the process of disbursement. “As promised, 5 seats must be given to PoK DPs. In upcoming Legislative Council polls, one person belonging to PoK DPs community must be given seat in Upper House”, he added.