POK refugees express concern over all party meeting

Jammu, May 14 (UNI) Refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) have expressed concern over the ''media management'' of Jammu and Kashmir government which has failed to highlight the stand taken by various political parties on the issue of permanent rehabilitation of displaced people in the all party meeting held at Srinagar.

SOS International Chairman Rajiv Chuni today, in a statement release said the government ''miserably failed in bringing forth facts about the deliberations of various political parties.'' ''12 lakh refugees had been waiting anxiously to hear something about their future but were stunned when they found nothing in plate for them,'' he added.

He maintained the government should have taken keen interest in informing them about developments and stand taken by various parties on the issue of refugees. ''It is clear that vote politics of various political parties, both from Jammu and Kashmir provinces prevented a favorable decision which refugees had been expecting,'' Mr Chuni added.

He stressed it was also indicated, how the issue of refugees was turned into a communal affair by certain political parties. ''We have been suffering since 1947 due to the pathetic attitude of respective government in the state,'' he added.

He further said the politicians who participated in all party meeting must clarify their stand over rehabilitation of refugees.

''The parties who claim to represent refugees should come out with statements regarding the deliberations made by them with respect to refugees in the meeting,'' he said.

Mr Chuni said the state government has formed a committee which is expected to address the issue of refugees in its letter and spirit, but forming a committee of the same parties which were part of the meeting is being looked upon suspiciously by the refugees.

''Some vested interests hijacked our issue and sought formation of a committee which has been asked to give report within ten days. We have felt deceived by the decision to form a committee to look into issue,'' he said.

''POK refugee are permanent residents of state and are demanding what they deserve, he said and stating that government should not further lengthen the permanent rehabilitation process and make an announcement in this regard without any further delay.

He threatened that the refugees would teach a striking lesson to those political parties who would try to mess up their issue for petty political gains.

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