MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Refugees Working Committee of post-1989 Kashmiri refugees on Monday announced a “Har Ghar Band” protest movement in Muzaffarabad on September 13 to demand their rights.
The committee, representing 46,000 refugees in Azad Kashmir, is demanding political, social, economic, and civil rights. The migrants have also announced a plan to take their case to the people of Pakistan through a press conference on September 10.
During the Migrants Working Committee meeting, the migrants have demanded an increase in monthly subsistence allowance, issuance of domicile and B-Muhajir card, representation in the Legislative Assembly, and restoration of the six percent quota.
It was decided that thousands of refugees would take to the streets in Muzaffarabad on September 13 to protest against the government’s alleged exploitative attitude towards them.
“Ironically, the children, widows, and veterans of the martyrs in the base camp established in the name of the Kashmir Freedom Movement are having to take to the streets for their rights,” the working committee said.
During an important meeting, the presidents of all the refugee settlements, elected councilors, members of the working committee, and the youth leadership decided that hunger strikes, protest sit-ins, and demonstrations would be launched on the streets for their political, social, economic, and civil rights.
It was decided that the protest movement would be extended to other cities, including Bagh, Kotli, and Mirpur, if their demands are not met.
The attendees raised concerns that many refugee families are forced to live in rented houses, paying heavy rent, while others are besieged in refugee settlements. They feel that their voices are not being heard, and they are being denied their rightful representation in the government.
