Former Minister S. Manjit Singh demands release of pending package for DPs

JAMMU: All Jammu and Kashmir Jatt Sabha President and former Minister, S. Manjit Singh, today demanded the release of the pending package instalment in favour of the Displaced Persons (DPs) of the Jammu region.

“The government had released only one instalment for the DPs. However, the pending instalment has not been released for these victims of displacement, who lost their land and property during the unfortunate hostile circumstances that forced them to migrate from one place to another after abandoning their native homes,” said S. Manjit Singh.

He was speaking at a meeting organised by Choudhary Naresh (Bittu) at his native village Birla in R.S. Pura, District Jammu, on the occasion of his nomination as Secretary of the Jatt Sabha.

The former minister said that the DPs are among the worst sufferers of atrocities. For decades, they have struggled for their rights and for their grievances to be addressed. Eventually, the central government sanctioned a package in their favour so that they could overcome financial hardship, he added, recalling how it had become difficult for the majority of DP families to survive amid growing unemployment and poverty.

He urged the government to listen to their demands and release the pending package instalment at the earliest to support these financially deprived DP families. Meanwhile, Chief Patron and former MP Tarlok Singh Bajwa referred to the border dwellers, mostly from the Jatt community, and the DPs, who are considered the first line of defence after the personnel in uniform.

“These men and women work for the defence forces and monitor the situation while keeping the security forces informed about any suspicious activities. Therefore, youth from these communities should be recruited through special recruitment drives by the central and state governments in the security forces, such as the BSF, Indian Army, and Police,” he said.
Similarly, MLA Vikram Randhawa also spoke on the occasion, drawing attention to the plight of people living ahead of the fence on the International Border, who face improper development and compensation issues.

“The land compensation should be given to the people who own the land, not to the government department,” he demanded. On this occasion, Choudhary Naresh also demanded that OBC status and its benefits be granted to the Jatts in central government jobs across the country.

“Our youth have not been granted OBC status even though they work on the frontlines with the security forces and contribute to the nation,” he said, seeking recognition from the Government of India by granting them OBC status in jobs and professional educational institutions.

Naresh (Bittu) also highlighted various other issues faced by border residents. The meeting was attended by Senior Vice President and DDC Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony; Patron of the Sabha, Choudhary Jaggar; Ex-Sarpanch Balbir Kour, Kamal Randhawa, Rashpal Choudhary, Senior Vice President Youth Ranjeet Singh Goldy, Choudhary Jeet, and others.