They also claimed harassment from the Govt after putting on hold their pension for unknown reasons. The delegation claimed that their pension and relief was stopped while the other migrants are continuously getting the pension and relief amounting to the discrimination and injustice with them.

A delegation of political migrants originally hailing from different districts of Kashmir approached Ghulam Ahmad Mir and apprised him about the Govt move of putting on hold their monthly pension for many months together leading to the starvation of their families. They told him (Mir) that they have been living migrant life since decades. On the basis of threat to their lives and the contributions they have made towards restoration of peace in Kashmir, the then Centre & State Govt sanctioned the monthly migrant pension in their favour after completing all the required formalities including the verification from the CID wing of the Police department.

 

They also told Mir that despite braving the brunt of militancy, they continue to work for the Nation. Their family members and relatives were killed by the militants while having survived many militants attacks, but the present dispensation snatched their only source of living without even thinking once about the risk looming large on their heads, economic crisis and the subsequent threats from ANEs given their Nationalist approach.

 

AICC General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir expressed serious concern and anguish over the Govt move of putting on hold the monthly migrant pension for many months together terming the move as unfortunate and inhuman on the part of present dispensation at Centre and LG Administration. It is very hard to believe that those who worked in National interest and chose a migrant life over their luxurious life are being harassed and  pushed towards starvation, whilst the pension had been sanctioned on the basis of militant threat to their lives and family after conducting proper verification, from time to time.

Denying pension to political migrants’ sans logic, Mir added and termed the decision as unjustified and unacceptable, Govt must revoke the decision very immediately ensuring that they (migrant)don’t face starvation. Mir strongly urged upon both Centre Govt and J&K LG Administration not to discriminate with the migrants and restore their monthly pension and relief at par with other migrants, which they deserve fully on the basis of their sacrifices and the great contributions they made towards the restoration of peace during the peak militancy in Kashmir.(KNS)