JAMMU, Jun 25: The PoJK Displaced Persons’ Front on Thursday staged a protest at Maharaja Hari Singh Park, Jammu, under the leadership of its President, Captain (Retd) Yudhvir Singh Chib, demanding the early resolution of long-pending issues concerning displaced families from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
The protest was attended by a large number of displaced persons carrying banners and flags. The protesters attempted to march towards the Civil Secretariat under the leadership of Captain Chib, assisted by General Secretary J.P. Sharma and Mahila Wing President Sakandaya Devi. However, they were stopped by a heavy police contingent near Dogra Chowk.
Addressing the gathering, Captain Chib urged the Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government to implement the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), including the release of the remaining Rs. 24.5 lakh compensation for each displaced family after the earlier payment of Rs. 5.5 lakh. He said several eligible families were still awaiting compensation despite their cases being processed.
The Front also demanded allotment of agricultural land to non-camp displaced families who have not received rehabilitation benefits, implementation of government orders issued in August 2024 granting ownership rights over allotted agricultural land, and early clearance of thousands of pending compensation cases reportedly forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The protesters further sought residential plots and financial assistance for 1971 non-camp displaced families under the PM Awas Yojana, extension of welfare benefits similar to those provided to Kashmiri migrants, and greater political representation by increasing Assembly seats reserved for PoJK displaced persons.
Speaking on the occasion, Captain (Retd.) Yudhvir Singh Chib said, “Our demands have remained pending for decades despite repeated assurances. We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor and the Central Government to implement the pending recommendations, ensure proper rehabilitation of displaced families and provide justice to those who sacrificed everything during the 1947, 1965 and 1971 conflicts.”
General Secretary J.P. Sharma and Mahila Wing President Sakandaya Devi said the Front would continue pursuing the issues at every level and expressed hope that the demands would receive positive consideration.
Prominent participants included Varinder Singh Chib, Sukhdev Singh, Kehar Singh, Master Raghunath Singh, Ch. Rattan Lal, Kulbir Singh Chib, Sham Singh Chib, Kamal Sharma, Hoshnaki Ram and Ranjit Singh Chib.