Jammu,May 18:Former Deputy Chief Minister Jammu & Kashmir, Kavinder Gupta welcomes the notification issued by General administration Department for issuance of domicile Certificate to West Pakistan Refugees – mainly Hindus who moved to India during Partition in 1947 and settled in Jammu province.
Gupta in a statement said that prior to the abrogation of Article -370 according to the laws of the state, West Pakistan Refugees were not classified as Permanent Residents and therefore couldn’t avail of the rights a Permanent Resident. For instance, they were not competent to legally own land, seek representation in the state Assembly or local body elections. This has rendered them an isolated group, whose interests were unrepresented at the local level. Gupta termed this as historic step and congratulated all the persons who shall be eligible by virtue of law for the issuance of domicile Certificates.
