Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: To pay homage to the martyrs and recall the first invasion on Indian territories in Jammu and Kashmir by the Pakistani raiders, October 22 was observed a ‘Black Day’ by various organizations, particularly those of PoK refugees.
SOS International – an organization for PoK Displaced Persons, held a function in this regard wherein participants wore black badges as mark of protest against the tribal attack on their ancestors on October 22, 1947.
While addressing the gathering, SOS. International chairman, Rajiv Chuni stated that October 22 is not only a “Black Day” but it’s a black spot in the history of this country and State as well because thousands of people were killed, women were raped, young women were abducted and their whereabouts were still unknown. “This is our 70th year in exile and during this period of time, we were forced to live in absolute poverty in filthy camps without any help or aid from previous or current Governments,” he lamented while highlighting the grievances and demands of the community.
Recalling the history, Chuni said that if Hindus and Sikhs had not shown valor that time, Jammu and Kashmir wouldn’t have been part of India. “It is we, the PoK DPs who have left their all and now, we are being awarded for our sacrifices in such a brutal manner which can never be called humane in anyway,” he said and lamented that there was no one to wipe their tears even after painful elimination from native places.
MJR47, Movement for Justice for PoJK 1947 refugees observed October 22 as Martyrs Day and paid homage to all those who laid down their lives but saved the State in Pakistan engineered plan to annex J&K.
In this connection a function was organized wherein Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Choudhary was the chief guest and S Charanjit Singh Khalsa, BJP MLC, was the guest of honour.
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Speakers threw light on historic background of the day in 1947 when thousand of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims were killed while offering resistance to raiders, whose aim was to capture only Airport at Srinagar and cut off vital mean of aid to State by India and merge the State with Pakistan which was strategically very important.
Daya Sagar, a senior journalist and social activist, Dr Padam Dev Raina, Com OP Khajuria, JS Sudan convener MJR47 and S Suchwant Singh spoke on the occasion.
Sham Choudhary, while paying tribute to martyrs, said he himself is a refugee and knows pains of DPs very well and shall always help them in getting all possible relief and facilities in their settlement.
On this day, Jammu and Kashmir Unity Foundation organized a seminar on the topic, “22nd October 1947-Pakistan Invasion Not A Tribal Raid”.
Yuvraj Gupta, a veteran PoJK refugee leader, Dr Ajay Chrungoo. Chairman Panun Kashmir, Mohd. Tariq, president Jiyo Aur Jeene Do, Ankur Sharma, Advocate, Er Ghulam Ali Khatana, State Secretary Bharatiya Janata Party and Ajaat Jamwal, president J&K Unity Foundation, spoke on the occasion.
The deliberations of the programme started with offering of tributes to the victims of Pakistani invasion in 1947. The participants observed a two minutes silence in the memory of all the citizens of India who lost their lives during the invasion of Jammu and Kashmir.
Ajaat Jamwal, in his address, said that Pakistan uses non- State actors as part of its State policy and this started with Major General Akbar Khan, the incharge of J&K Operation in 1947. He quoted Pakistani writers in support of claim.
Ajaat further said that Pakistan was actively engaged in radicalization of youth of Kashmir and parts of Jammu region. “During past some years Pakistan has been investing heavily in radicalization of youth, construction of Wahabi/Salafi mosques and by use of cyber space,” he warned and added that people of Jammu and Kashmir have to thwart this conspiracy and Government should also act against such mischief by Pakistan.
Muzzafarabad Biradri also paid tributes to the 1947 martyrs by organizing a function in this regard at Geeta Mandir wherein BJP MLA Sat Sharma was the chief guest.
The speakers threw light on the historic events related to this day and stressed that it was only because of these martyrs that Jammu Kashmir is a part of India.
MLA Sat Sharma, in his address, informed that various steps were being taken by the present Government for the displaced community.
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