West Pak refugees rue decision to settle in J-K : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

West Pak refugees rue decision to settle in J-K

JAMMU: As residents of the Jammu region have been enthusiastic about the Assembly elections, this “festival of democracy” means nothing to over 25,000 West Pakistan families, which have been deprived of their basic right, the right to vote.



Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 22

As residents of the Jammu region have been enthusiastic about the Assembly elections, this “festival of democracy” means nothing to over 25,000 West Pakistan families, which have been deprived of their basic right, the right to vote.

These people had come from West Pakistan at the time of Partition in 1947 and are known as the West Pakistan refugees. They have been living in various areas of the Jammu region.

While the entire state is in the grip of the election fever, the third generation of the refugees is repenting the decision of their grandparents to enter Jammu and Kashmir at the time of Partition.

The West Pakistani refugees have been denied constitutional rights because they had come to Jammu and Kashmir from those areas of Pakistan which were not part of the erstwhile J&K state.

As per data, there are 25,460 West Pakistan families in the Jammu region and 90 per cent of them are the Dalits. These families live in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts.

The West Pakistan refugees have been living in rural areas since 1947 but are outcast as refugees.

“During Partition, my grandfather along with his family had come to Jammu to protect their lives. More than 67 years have passed, but we are still treated as Pakistani guests and denied all constitutional rights,” said Labha Ram Gandhi, chairman of the West Pakistani Refugees Action Committee (WPRAC).

On Saturday, when brisk polling was going on in the border areas of Hiranagar in Kathua district, the WPRAC was holding a meeting in the town to devise a strategy for launching a final agitation for their rights.

“We are a part and parcel of this village as our family has been living here since 1947, but we have no right to cast vote in the Assembly elections,” said Rajinder Kumar, 24, a resident of Ghagwal village. He said 25 West Pakistan refugee families had been living in the village, but did not have the right to participate in the formation of the state government.

Candidates of political parties have also ignored these “stateless” people because they (refugees) do not have a voting right.

The West Pakistani Refugees cannot vote in the Assembly elections, civic bodies and the panchayat elections.

Top News

Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in UP's Banda orders judicial inquiry into death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari

UP court orders judicial probe into Mukhtar Ansari’s death

The CJM has sought the probe report within a month

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh are among the poorest regions...

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai is the wife of MLA Krishanand Rai, who was shot dea...

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,800 crore

Ajay Maken addresses a press conference

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime ac...


Cities

View All