Shadow Correspondent
Samba, Mar, 27
The All Jammu and Kashmir Jatt Sabha has demanded political reservation for the community to ensure its social, economic, and political development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a meeting, former Minister and President of the All Jammu and Kashmir Jatt Sabha, S. Manjit Singh, referred to the political neglect faced by the community despite its significant population in the region.
He said that the Jatts deserve political reservation like other communities in Jammu and Kashmir so that this marginalised group can be adequately represented in the Legislative Assembly.
He further stated that members of the community, including displaced persons, have been uprooted repeatedly due to the India–Pakistan wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971, as well as ongoing border tensions.
“These people never abandoned their homes. They supported the security forces in anti-terror operations and acted as vigilant observers in border villages to monitor anti-national activities,” he said, recalling the community’s significant role in curbing terrorism and checking suspicious activities along the border.
He was addressing a meeting at village P.S. Pura (Gokhal Chak), Panchayat Avtal, Samba district. The event was organised by the District President, Jatt Sabha Samba, Bachan Choudhary, to deliberate on the current situation and seek suggestions on measures to improve the welfare of the community. While commending the organisers and Jatt leaders for their proactive approach, former Member of Parliament and Chief Patron, Tarlok Singh Bajwa, expressed concern about the denial of Other Backwards Class (OBC) benefits to Jatts in central government employment and professional educational institutions.
Meanwhile, former Minister Garu Ram Choudhary highlighted the growing menace of drug addiction and stressed the need for measures to curb criminal activities. He emphasised that Jatt youth should be guided towards the right path through education and provided with platforms for academic support and employment opportunities in the private and corporate sectors across Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
Former DDC Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony, said that community leaders must work in coordination, rising above party lines, to ensure justice for the Jatt community.
He also expressed concern over the plight of the Jatts and criticised the government’s indifference towards their issues.
The meeting was also addressed by Ex-Corporator Dwarka Choudhary, who demanded the release of the final rehabilitation package for displaced persons in Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the government has so far released only ?5.5 lakh per family, which is insufficient and incomplete.
Besides, Bachan Choudhary spoke on the increasing unemployment among the youth, and drug menace.
Among those present on the occasion were Kamal Randhawa, District Secretary Jammu Harbans Choudhary, State President Jatt Youth Wing Mandeep Choudhary, Senior Vice President Youth Ranjeet Singh Goldy, woman leader Reena Choudhary, ex-Sarpanch Balwant Singh Nagra, Vijay Choudhary, former Sarpanch Jogdish Bhati, former Sarpanch Darshan Singh Kangwala, ex-Sarpanch Kali Das, Ex-Capt. Tirath Singh and others.
