J&K govt grants land ownership rights to Pakistan, PoK refugees

SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Lieutenant Governor administration in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday announced ownership rights of land to West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs), who are living in J&K after their migration from Pakistan since 1947. The land ownership rights were also granted to 1965 PoJK refugees.

It will benefit thousands of WPR families, who were granted J&K citizenship after Article 370 abrogation and bifurcation of J&K state into two union territories by the Centre on August 5, 2019.

An official spokesman said the Administrative Council, which met here under chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, granted proprietary rights on State land in favour of West Pakistan Refugees and Displaced Persons of 1965 war.

“This will end the discrimination with the WPRs and Displaced Persons of 1965 war and will significantly empower thousands of families across the Jammu region,” a spokesman said.