Relief holders protest, demand IDP status for KPs

Excelsior Correspondent

Relief holders protesting in front of Press Club on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, May 22: Demanding that Kashmiri migrants be given the status of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) as recommended by Central interlocutors in their report last year, Kashmiri migrant relief holders and over-aged youth staged a demonstration in front of Press Club here today.
The demonstration was led by Ravinder Koul, representative of the relief holders.
Addressing the demonstrators he said it is shocking that India being a signatory to the resolution of Internally Displaced People (IDP) under UN Resolution, never gave thought to implement the same on its own citizens who are the direct victims of militancy and anti national elements.
He said the recommendations of interlocutors who have proposed IDP status for KPs have also been thrown in the dustbin.
Koul said this way the Government of India was trying to evade its own responsibility towards the patriotic people who have faced seven migrations so far.
Ravinder Koul while strongly advocating for grant of IDP status to KPs urged the State Government to take up the issue with Union Government forcefully as this can be in real sense a healing touch for the displaced people from Valley.
Mohan Lal, Bushan Koul, Kundan Ji and Rakesh Pandita were among others who addressed the demonstrators.