The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) has criticized the central government's high-level committee for overlooking indigenous populations displaced by violence along the Line of Control (LoC). The party demands a focus on both population inflow and the forced outflow of locals.

Key Takeaways

  • AIP alleges the demographic committee is ignoring families displaced from LoC ancestral homes.
  • The party demands the study include the 'outflow' of indigenous people caused by insecurity and shelling.
  • Restoring displaced populations is urged to be a core part of any demographic correction agenda.

The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), led by Member of Parliament Engineer Rashid, has raised serious concerns regarding the high-level committee tasked with studying demographic changes in Jammu and Kashmir. AIP spokesperson Inam Un Nabi stated on Wednesday that the committee's assessment is incomplete as it overlooks entire pockets of population displaced from their homes along the Line of Control (LoC).

According to the AIP, the committee's focus has been disproportionately placed on alleged demographic inflows, while completely ignoring the massive outflow of indigenous populations. The party emphasized that these families did not migrate for political reasons or militancy, but were forced to flee to save their children and elderly from prolonged shelling and insecurity.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that any attempt to 'stabilize' or 'correct' the demography of a region without addressing the forced displacement of its original inhabitants will lead to social friction. A truly comprehensive report must account for the vacuum left by those who fled conflict, rather than just measuring who has arrived.

'You cannot discuss demographic change while ignoring the empty homes, abandoned land, and families forced to establish lives elsewhere.'

The AIP further demanded that the committee must also engage with Kashmiri Pandits, both those living in the valley and those who migrated, as their exodus is a fundamental chapter in the region's demographic history. Areas such as Karnah, Gurez, Uri, Poonch, and Mendhar have seen continuous migration patterns since 1947 due to cross-border tensions.

Historical Background

Since the partition in 1947, the border regions of Jammu and Kashmir have been subject to frequent conflict. The constant threat of shelling and military presence has historically forced many indigenous communities to abandon their livelihoods and ancestral lands, creating significant demographic shifts in forward areas.

Did You Know?: Many border villages in Kashmir are referred to as 'ghost villages' because they remain largely abandoned due to the constant risk of cross-border shelling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is leading the demographic committee?
The high-level committee is headed by retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar.

2. What is the core demand of the AIP?
The AIP demands that the committee include the study of indigenous populations displaced by violence in its demographic assessment.