Srinagar: The Lieutenant Governor administration in Jammu and Kashmir announced on Tuesday that West Pakistan Refugees (WPRs) and refugees from the 1965 Pakistan-administered Kashmir will be granted land ownership rights, New Indian Express reported.
These refugees have been residing in JK since their migration from Pakistan in 1947.
This decision will benefit thousands of WPR families who received J&K citizenship following the abrogation of Article 370 and the division of J&K into two union territories by the government of India on August 5, 2019.
An official spokesperson reported that the Administrative Council, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, approved the allocation of proprietary rights on state land to West Pakistan Refugees and Displaced Persons from the 1965 war.
“This move will end the discrimination faced by WPRs and Displaced Persons of the 1965 war and will greatly empower thousands of families across the Jammu region,” the spokesperson stated.
Prior to the abrogation of Article 370, WPRs had J&K citizenship but were restricted from voting in Assembly elections, applying for government jobs, or receiving scholarships. With the revocation of Article 370 and the introduction of new domicile laws, WPRs and Displaced Persons now have the same rights as local residents.
“This decision addresses long-standing demands from families seeking land ownership rights. Granting these rights aligns WPRs with Displaced Persons from PoJK,” the spokesperson added.
![A woman displays ink on her finger after casting her vote in Pulwama, Kashmir on September 18, 2024. [FPK Photo/ Qayoom Khan]](https://freepresskashmir.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-18-at-10.55.24-AM-2-300x180.jpeg)
![A woman displays ink on her finger after casting her vote in Pulwama, Kashmir on September 18, 2024. [FPK Photo/ Qayoom Khan]](https://freepresskashmir.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-18-at-10.55.24-AM-2-80x80.jpeg)
