Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Centre for Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir Studies (CLJKS)in its third lecture on the eve of Sankalp Diwas organized Webinar on Displaced Person of PoJK.
The keynote speaker of the Webinar, Ajay Kumar Sharma, Academic Coordinator, CLJKS stressed that PoJK displaced persons are the real stakeholders of PoJK. They are the first victim of Pakistan aggression on the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. On 22nd October, 1947, Pakistan attacked the Princely State of J&K and ravaged the areas of Bhimber, Kotli, Deva, Batala, Muzaffrabad, Mirpur, Poonch Rajouri, etc and gained illegal control on it. This area under illegal occupation of Pakistan is known as PoJK. The attack resulted into ethnic cleansing of Sikhs and Hindus, burning of people-their houses and property, raping women, etc. Therefore, the communal violence formed Sikhs and Hindus to flee from their homes to safer region in Jammu and other states leaving behind their all belongings.
Once displaced, they could not return to their homeland even after seven decades.
It was only after 5 August, 2019 that Government has started the process of registering them and issuing domicile certificates to them, he said.
Dr. Deepak Kapoor narrated the atrocities committed on innocent Hindus and Sikhs of Muzaffrabad in 1947. He explained how people of Muzaffrabad fought with invaders in 1947 and made sacrifices to save their women and people.
Pt. Ashok Khajuria said that total 31619 families of PoJK DPs were registered for ex-gratia in 1962 and 9500 families were rejected for different reasons.
But the actual number of displaced families were about 50000. Presently the number of such families has been increased up to 150000 with 600000 souls settled in ten districts of Jammu division.
Arun Chowdhary narrated that it was on the fateful night of 25th November 1947, that Pakistan army attacked Mirpur and killed thousands of innocent people. About 5000 women and girls were kidnapped and nearly 5000 Hindus and Sikhs were abducted in Alibeg Gurdwara.
Dr. Virender Koundal chaired the session on behalf of Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Jain. He read his presidential remarks. He said that these displaced persons are the real victims of Jammu and Kashmir and stakeholders of PoJK. He said that Centre for Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir is doing rigorous research in this filed but the issues and problems of PoJK could not become the subject of academic discourse in Universities.
Dr. Ajay Kumar Singh from Central University of Jammu coordinated the proceeding. Akhil Verma presented vote of thanks.
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