West Pak refugees, Gorkha community hold protest

Jammu, Nov 7: A day after the passage of resolution in J&K Legislative Assembly seeking restoration of the special status of J&K, West Pak refugees and the members of Gorkha community Thursday held separate protests against the National Conference-Congress government in Jammu.

They alleged that the new government was trying to snatch their rights through this resolution.

West Pakistani refugees led by Association president Labha Ram Gandhi held a protest demonstration at Hari Singh park, raising slogans. Slogans like “370 Nahin Chahiye, vande Mataram, Bharat Mata Ki Jai” “Awaz Do Hum Ek Hain” “West Pakistani refugees Zindabad” rent the air.

“They (NC, Congress) are enacting drama. They had misled people that they would bring back Article 370 and 35-A, after coming to power. But let me make it clear that Article 370 cannot be restored. None can bring it back. Parliament has abrogated and the decision of Parliament has been upheld by the Supreme Court of India,” Gandhi, joined by other representatives of protesting West Pak refugees, said.

“They are doing so (drama) as they had sought votes in its (restoration of Article 370) name. If they are seeking guarantees for jobs and land for J&K residents, there is Article 371 as is applicable in several states including neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. They may ask for its (Art 371) implementation. Even we won’t object to it as we too want protection of jobs for J&K youth. We too are against outsiders snatching jobs and lands of locals,” he said.

“It was due to Article 370 and 35-A that we were not granted citizenship during the last over 70 years. For the first time, we could vote during assembly elections. We don’t want any such move which snatches our rights yet again,” Gandhi said.