MHA PANEL ASSESSES DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS IN JAMMU, VISITS JAGTI MIGRANT TOWNSHIP AND ROHINGYA SETTLEMENT
Panel Meets Kashmiri Pandits, PoJK Refugees, Social Organisations; Seeks Detailed Inputs on Illegal Immigration and Changing Demographic Patterns
JAMMU, AUGUST 12 (KNC): A high-level committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on demographic changes continued its assessment in Jammu on Tuesday, visiting the Jagti migrant township in Nagrota and a Rohingya settlement at Karyani Talab in Qasim Nagar.
The committee, headed by Justice (Retd.) Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar, held extensive interactions with residents, community representatives, social organisations and various delegations as part of its assessment of migration, rehabilitation, illegal immigration, demographic changes and their socio-economic implications.
During its visit to Jagti, the panel met members of the Kashmiri Pandit community and representatives of displaced families. The delegations apprised the committee of issues relating to rehabilitation, return to the Kashmir Valley, employment, housing, basic amenities, water supply, road connectivity, sanitation and implementation of relief measures.
Representatives informed the committee that over 5,000 Kashmiri Pandit families are residing in the Jagti township. They sought effective measures to facilitate the community’s safe, secure and dignified return and rehabilitation in the Valley.
The representatives also shared their concerns regarding the migration of Kashmiri Pandits during 1989-90, urging the committee to take into consideration the circumstances that led to their displacement and recommend comprehensive long-term measures for their rehabilitation.
The panel later proceeded to Karyani Talab in Qasim Nagar near Narwal, where it visited a settlement inhabited by Rohingya nationals from Myanmar.
During the visit, the committee sought information from the accompanying officials regarding the number of residents, duration of their stay, documentation and changes in the population of the settlement over the years.
The committee also received representations from several groups and organisations, including Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) refugees, Valmikis, Team Jammu, Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha, Gorkha representatives, SOS International and other social organisations and individuals.
A delegation of Panun Kashmir, led by Dr Ajay Chrungoo, submitted a memorandum before the committee highlighting its concerns regarding what it described as demographic transformation in Jammu and Kashmir, besides raising issues concerning the displacement and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Hindus.
Team Jammu Chairman Zorawar Singh Jamwal also briefed the panel on demographic developments in different parts of the Jammu region and submitted suggestions concerning illegal immigration, population changes and preservation of the region’s demographic character.
The delegation of Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha also submitted a memorandum before the committee, raising concerns over illegal immigration and demographic changes and seeking stringent measures against illegal immigrants. The delegation also raised allegations relating to forced conversions and sought appropriate action in such cases.
Representatives of SOS International and other organisations placed their views before the committee, outlining historical, social and contemporary factors which, according to them, have contributed to demographic changes in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The high-level committee comprises Justice (Retd.) Prakash Prabhakar Navlekar, Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar, former IAS officer Durga Shankar Mishra, former IPS officer Balaji Srivastava and Shamika Ravi.
The committee has been mandated by the Centre to undertake a scientific assessment of demographic changes occurring in different parts of the country due to illegal immigration and other factors. It has also been tasked with examining the causes behind such changes and suggesting policy, legislative and administrative measures to address the concerns.
The panel is scheduled to return to New Delhi on Wednesday and is expected to undertake visits to other States and Union Territories, particularly areas where demographic changes have been reported in connection with illegal immigration and migration-related factors.
Government data cited in connection with the assessment indicates that more than 13,700 foreign nationals, including Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals, are residing in Jammu and Samba districts, with the reported population witnessing a significant increase between 2008 and 2016.
The Central Government constituted the high-level committee in May 2026 to examine demographic changes arising from illegal immigration and other factors and to recommend appropriate measures to deal with emerging demographic, social and administrative concerns.(KNC)
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