Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 8: The refugees from Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK) held massive protest demonstration outside the official residence of Dy Chief Minister Tara Chand at Canal Road here today.
A large number of refugees under the banner of PoK Refugees Front 1947, 1965 and 1971 led by Capt Yudhbir Singh and general secretary Rashpal Singh Chib assembled at Rajinder Park in the morning and then in the form of a protest rally marched towards official residence of DyCM at Canal Road at around 11 am. When the refugees were moving towards Canal road, they were stopped by police contingent led by DySP Rouf Lone.
The refugees including large number of women, resisted the police action and continued to slip away from left and right in small numbers and managed to reach the residence of DyCM. They were carrying banners and placards depicting the demand of comprehensive settlement of PoK refugees. They raised slogans against Chief Minister, Dy Chief Minister, Revenue Minister and Congress led Union Government.
After two hour protest demonstration and dharna outside DyCM’s residence, a group of refugees led by Mr Chib and Yudhbir was allowed inside by the security men to discuss the issue. Revenue Minister also reached there. The refugee leaders questioned DyCM as why he stayed away when PCC delegation from State met the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Delhi recently. The DyCM however, claimed that he was not informed by PCC president or other members about proposed meeting.
Both the Ministers however, claimed that Government was seized of the issues of the refugees and a committee is being constituted to look into their issues and recommend ways and suggestions in resolving their pending demands once for all. They said Government is making all out efforts to mitigate the issues of 1947, 65 and 71 camp and non-camp refugees. The Centre has already released a package of Rs 49 crore for land deficiency of DPs and Government has disbursed Rs 29 crore out of this package, they added.
The refugees however, rejected formation of any committee and demanded that fate of earlier committees was not decided as yet and it was just eye-wash and another act of Congress led Govt to befool the refugees. They said Government should announce package and there was no need of yet another committee.
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