SOS Int’l observes black day, decries govt’s continued neglect of PoJK refugees

• Chuni urges non-political representation of community in J&K Assembly; says govt failed to discharge constitutional duties

JAMMU: The Displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), under the banner of SOS International—a leading registered organization for PoJK refugees—observed October 22 as Black Day, marking the anniversary of the 1947’s first attack on Muzaffarabad by Pakistani tribal forces and army.

During a commemorative event, a large gathering of displaced persons, including elders and women, convened in Bakshi Nagar here to pay homage to the martyrs of Muzaffarabad who sacrificed their lives for the state and the nation. Wearing black ribbons on their shoulders, the PoJK displaced persons protested against the tribal attacks on their ancestors and the successive government’s discriminatory policies towards PoJK refugees.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Chuni, chairman of SOS International, recalled that October 22 marks the day when tribal invaders hired by Pakistan launched their first attack on Hindus and Sikhs in Muzaffarabad, part of a conspiracy to alter the demographics of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Thousands were killed, women were raped, and young women were abducted with their whereabouts is still not known. This is not just a black day for PoJK displaced persons; it is a black day for the entire nation. The PoK displaced persons were the first community in the state to endure such violence to resist the tribal attack,” Mr Chuni stated.

The refugee leader said that following the attacks in Muzaffarabad, similar assaults occurred in Mirpur and Poonch, resulting in a continued genocide.  Mr Chuni expressed dismay that despite the supreme sacrifices of PoJK displaced persons, the government’s approach towards displaced persons from PoJK has consistently been discriminatory and step-motherly, with successive regimes failing to address the genuine and legitimate issues of the community.

“It is particularly unfortunate that the government has not accepted the recommendations from various committees established to resolve the legitimate demands of PoJK refugees. One key recommendation was to reserve eight out of the 24 vacant seats in the J&K assembly for PoJK refugees, but this was overlooked, and only one seat has been allocated to our community. This single seat has also become a battleground for different political groups,” the senior refugee leader said. 

He further said, “We have written to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, urging that a humanitarian approach be taken in nominating a person for this seat. We request that only a non-political individual or someone from an apolitical group be nominated,” he said.

Mr Chuni also highlighted that in 2014, a package of Rs 25 lakh was announced for each displaced family of PoJK refugees, along with recommendations for reservations for their children in professional colleges and the provision of 8,500 jobs for educated unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir. “However, the Centre has shown no sympathy or initiative to resolve these issues, leaving the community in its previous state of distress,” he regretted.  

He said, “On this black day, we want to remind the world that Jammu and Kashmir, regarded as the crown of India, would have been lost to Pakistan had our people not resisted the tribal invaders. Our existence in this region is a result of the sacrifices made by our elders. If we had abandoned our lands like the Valley Migrants, J&K would not be part of India today”. 

The refugee leader said they were not seeking privileges but have been demanding justice for the community. “The government has failed to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities and has misled the public through false perceptions and deceitful practices during elections. Successive regimes have let us down, failing to meet the expectations of the people,” he said. 

He further criticized the government for ignoring the legitimate the demands of PoJK refugees, saying “The government has provided every facility to the Valley Migrants who fled their homes, while our community has been overlooked and neglected in every sector of life, resulting in a deprivation of our constitutional rights”. 

Mr Chuni also disclosed that they have decided to intervene in the petition filed in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the nomination of five MLAs in the J&K assembly. 

“Our intervention will include a strong request to the Hon’ble High Court to direct the government or Lieutenant Governor to nominate a non-political individual, with no association to any political party or any organisation associated with any political party in the past ten years, for the seat reserved for PoJK displaced persons. This move will ensure the welfare and upliftment of our community, as a non-political representative can prioritize our genuine issues above party politics,” he said. 

Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion were Prof. N N Sharma, V K Datta, Ved Raj Bali, Bhai Ram Singh, Arun Gupta, Harbans Sabharwal, Gouri Shankar, Lajya Wanti, Santosh Kumari & Bimla.