New Delhi: A large number of displaced people from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) observed Black Day as a mark of protest against the tribal raid carried out by Pakistan on them in Muzaffarabad district of JK state on October 22, 1947.
A large number of PoK displaced, who are at present settled in 39 camps across Jammu, assembled here at Jantar Mantar and held a demonstration to mark the day amidst slogans and speeches highlighting grievances of the misplaced community.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Rajiv Chuni, Chairman of SOS International, an organisation of PoK displaced, said, "Now when everyone in the present government is boasting of taking back PoK, no one is talking about the misplaced, who are suffering due the conflict for more than 70 years."
"The state (Jammu Kashmir) was largely dominated by the Kashmiri leadership, which was against our rehabilitation. In fact, it was not concerned about our issues as they considered us not their vote bank," Chunni, who is born and brought up in India, said.
Rajiv Chuni also hit out at the Centre for their failure to address the grievances of presently 1.3 million displaced people and their permanent settlement. He said those in power were interested only in land of PoK but not in the people of that area.
Surjit Singh, one of the PoK displaced said government should provide all facilities to them on par with Kashmir valley migrants including monthly cash relief, free monthly ration, free monthly fuel, interest free loans to unemployed youths.
"The government package of jobs to unemployed, educated youths and free family health insurance cover for avoiding discrimination between the displaced communities of JK," he said.
Rajiv Chuni also demanded that at least one-third of 24 vacant seats must be opened and filled with their representatives.This will politically empower their community which has no representation either in the state Assembly or Parliament, besides having the right to exercise franchise in both the elections.
A number of PoK displaced, who had been set up temporarily by the then government in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, UP, Bihar and other states, took part in the demonstration and also demanded to grant permission to visit their Holy religious places located in PoK like Sharda Peeth, Gurudwara Chhati Paatshahi, Mangla Temple and other sacred places.
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