S. Manjit Singh demands compensation for Jatts and DPs who lost land to development, Defence construction in Jammu region

• Sabha appoints Ranjeet Singh Goldy as Youth Wing’s Senior Vice President, Ch. Jarnail Singh as Spokesperson

R. S. PURA (JAMMU): All J&K Jatt Sabha President and former Minister, S. Manjit Singh, has demanded adequate compensation for land occupants whose property has been taken over by the authorities or Defence forces on the name of development or defence purpose in the Jammu region. “The Jatts and Displaced Persons who were allotted land by the Government decades ago have been suffering. Many have complained that they lost their land to developmental projects or fence construction along the International Border, yet they were not provided any compensation,” the former Minister said.

He was speaking at a meeting held at Rathana Morh in R.S. Pura town of Jammu district in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was organised by Ranjeet Singh Goldy. On this occasion, the Sabha members appointed Ranjeet Singh Goldy as Youth Wing’s Senior Vice President of the All J&K Jatt Sabha, while Choudhary Jarnail Singh was appointed as Spokesperson of the Sabha.

While congratulating both leaders, the former Minister expressed hope that they would continue to take up the genuine demands of the Jatt community in Jammu and Kashmir. He further stated that these people have been holding the land for decades and made it cultivable through their blood and sweat, yet the authorities have failed to compensate them after taking over their land.

“The compensation is being paid to the concerned departments, even though these people continue to legally hold the land. Many farmers—Displaced Persons and Jatts—have submitted claims stating that their land was utilised for ditches and fencing along the International Border in Kathua, Jammu, and Samba districts, yet they were not compensated. This has rendered them helpless and amounts to an unconstitutional violation of their right to property,” he added.

Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament Tarlok Singh Bajwa raised concerns about rising unemployment among the youth of the Jatt community, particularly following the scrapping of permanent employment as soldiers in the Indian Army.

“The Agniveer scheme has shattered the dreams of Jatt youth who aspired to join the defence services, which has traditionally been a prevalent occupation in the community,” he said, urging the Government of India to scrap the scheme and restore permanent recruitment in the armed forces with full benefits. Former Cabinet Minister Choudhary Sukhnandan demanded that the Government of India extend the benefits of Other Backward Class (OBC) status to Jatts of Jammu and Kashmir in Central Government jobs as well as professional educational institutions.

DDC Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Toni, also raised alarm over growing drug addiction among youth and urged community leaders to stand united against the increasing drug menace. He further demanded that the future of youth be safeguarded by promoting sportsmanship and educational competition among Jatt youngsters.

Those present on the occasion included former Minister Garu Choudhary, former Corporator (District President Jammu Urban) Dwarka Choudhary; District President Jammu Rural, Manjit Jatt; Youth President Choudhary Mandeep, DDC Member Geetu Alakh; former Sarpanch Balbir Kour, former Sarpanch Reena Choudhary, prominent businessman Choudhary Jagar Ji, Kamal Randhawa, Naveen Choudhary and others.