Kashmiri Pandit Delegation Presents Comprehensive Memorandum to Relief Commissioner

Jammu, February 25, 2026: A large delegation of prominent displaced Kashmiri migrants, comprising socio-political activists and leaders, today called upon Dr. Arvind Karwani, the Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting, held in the Commissioner’s office chamber in Jammu, was led by senior community leader Shri M.K. Yogi and notable social activist Shri Vinod Pandita, and aimed to seek immediate attention and resolution for the important issues the community faces in exile. The high-level nature of the discussion was underscored by the virtual attendance of all Zonal Officers from Jammu, Udhampur, and the Kashmir Valley, while DC Relief Shri Vijay Kumar Sharma and all ACRs (Relief) were present in person.

At the outset of the meeting, Shri Vinod Pandita highlighted several pertinent problems, including the urgent need for an extension of the time period for filling NAFSA Forms by at least two months. He also strongly advocated for a general amnesty for displaced migrants, similar to what has been granted in the past. Furthermore, he requested the Commissioner’s facilitation in enhancing the monthly cash assistance from the current rupees thirteen thousand to rupees twenty-five thousand, and urged him to act as a bridge between the Union Territory/Central Government and the displaced community to facilitate a tangible return and rehabilitation process in a time-bound manner.

Shri Kuldeep Kashmiri, while speaking during the meeting, focused on the pressing need for the repair and renovation of quarters in all camps, many of which are in dilapidated conditions. He called for a fast-track disposal of community problems within the Relief office, urging an end to unnecessary delays that cause inconvenience to the displaced migrants, and sought resolution for the sake of justice and equity. He also urged the department to devise an easy and quick mechanism for the filling of NAFSA forms for community children who are working outside Jammu and Kashmir, keeping in view their job exigencies and other practical hurdles.

Shri M.K. Yogi, the senior leader who was leading the delegation, highlighted a range of critical issues, including the provision of accommodation for PM package employees working in the Valley who are still living in rented accommodations. He pressed for communication with the concerned departments to ensure the doling out of the left-out compensation for gutted and damaged properties of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley in 1990. Shri Yogi also emphasized taking up the issue of the implementation of the Immovable Migrant Property Act of 1997 in letter and spirit with the highest authorities in both Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi. He stressed the Commissioner’s role as a nodal agency to coordinate with all Deputy Commissioners of the Kashmir Valley regarding the removal of illegally occupied land belonging to displaced migrants, who are currently running from pillar to post in vain for the disposal of their grievances.

Shri Mohan Lal Comrade drew attention to the need for the construction of additional residential quarters in Jammu for those migrants who are still living in poor conditions in rental accommodations. He specifically requested that special attention be given to the one hundred and twenty-five families living in miserable conditions in one-room tenements in Purkhoo phase two, in terms of providing them with suitable accommodation, better provisions for pure drinking water, and a regular supply of electricity until their proper rehabilitation.

The Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner gave the delegation a patient hearing and explained in detail the tangible steps taken so far for the comfort and convenience of the migrants, which were highly appreciated by the delegates. He also apprised the delegation that additional new quarters will be constructed in Jammu for migrants in the near future and assured them that concrete measures would be taken to tackle unemployment after discussing the issue with the concerned higher authorities. He assured the delegation that the issues listed would be taken up with higher authorities for early resolution and that some solace would be provided regarding the extension of NAFSA form filling dates and the general amnesty. In a significant move, some on-spot directions were also given to the Zonal Officers who attended the meeting virtually.

In a positive outcome directly related to the meeting, a sit-in protest by Shri Avtar Krishan Koul, which had been ongoing for over three months regarding his land-grabbing issue, was brought to an end. This was achieved through the concerted efforts of Shri Yogi and Shri Pandita, following assurances given by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner. The delegation also included other prominent members such as Shri Vishal Jotshi, Shri Kamal Ganjoo, Shri Ravinder Singh, Shri Roshan Lal Bhat, Shri Raj Nath, Shri Romesh Kumar Bhat, Shri Ranbir Singh Tulla, Shri Harmohinder Singh, and Shri Sudershan Singh, among others.