Prominent Social Activist Rakesh Koul Raises Alarm on Rohingya Settlements, Calls for Dignified Rehabilitation of Displaced Pandits

Jammu, 11-12-2024:  Mr. Rakesh Kumar Koul, former Sarpanch and dedicated social activist, has issued a passionate appeal to address the long-standing neglect of the Kashmiri displaced community while raising serious concerns about the unchecked settlement of illegal migrants, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, in Jammu and Kashmir. In a press statement, Koul highlighted the community’s ongoing struggles over the past 35 years, emphasizing their exclusion from essential welfare policies and their lack of access to adequate rehabilitation measures, despite their unwavering commitment to the nation.

The displaced Kashmiri Pandit community, victims of terrorism and forced displacement, continues to endure immense hardships with little government intervention. Many families still lack housing, employment opportunities, and access to basic services, leaving them in a state of despair. Adding to their struggles, the monthly relief provided to displaced individuals—currently Rs. 3250 per person—falls far short of meeting even their most basic needs. Koul urged the government to increase this amount to Rs. 6000 per person, citing the rising cost of living and the need for a dignified existence.

Koul also drew attention to the plight of educated youth within the Jammu-based displaced community, many of whom face significant challenges in securing employment despite their qualifications and eagerness to contribute. He called for urgent implementation of skill development programs and dedicated employment schemes to empower these individuals and leverage their potential for regional and national development.

Equally alarming, Koul stated, is the unchecked settlement of illegal migrants, particularly Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, in sensitive areas of Jammu. Their access to basic amenities such as water, electricity, and housing has raised serious security and demographic concerns. The presence of these migrants, without proper documentation, not only threatens the region’s demographic balance but also poses potential risks of radicalization and infiltration. Koul underscored the urgency of identifying and deporting such migrants to safeguard the security and integrity of Jammu and Kashmir.

Recent statements by political figures, including Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Iltija Mufti, advocating for the rights of illegal migrants have further heightened the anxieties of the displaced community. Koul criticized such rhetoric, asserting that it undermines national security and disregards the Kashmiri Pandit community’s ongoing struggles. He urged policymakers to prioritize the needs of displaced individuals who have made significant sacrifices for the nation over those of undocumented migrants.

To address these pressing issues, Koul called for the formulation of a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for the Kashmiri displaced community. Such a policy, he suggested, should focus on housing, employment opportunities, and access to essential services to ensure that displaced families can rebuild their lives. He also emphasized the need for increased relief assistance and swift action on employment schemes to alleviate the hardships faced by Jammu-based youth.

He further reiterated the importance of safeguarding the nation’s security and demographic integrity by taking decisive measures to address the growing threat posed by the unchecked settlement of undocumented individuals in the region.

Koul concluded his statement by urging the government to take immediate and effective action to address these issues. He called for justice, security, and dignity for the Kashmiri displaced community while ensuring that the region remains safe from potential threats posed by illegal migrants. Through his appeal, Koul expressed hope that swift and decisive measures would restore faith in the principles of equality and justice for all.