Accept or deport us, Pakistani women to GoI, Citing examples of Sania Mirza, Adnan Sami
Srinagar, Feb 23: The disastrous aspect of Omar Abdullah led National Conference-Congress Government’s ‘Rehabilitation Policy’ for former militants announced in 2010 was at display today when the Pakistani origin spouses of ‘surrendered’ militants took out a forceful march in the heart of Srinagar city, accusing authorities of depriving them of citizenship rights and even barring them from visiting native lands across border.
The NC-Congress government had announced the ‘Rehabilitation Policy’ in 2010 in consultation with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs following the recommendations of a Working Group constituted by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in 2006.
Only one in 10 youth who crossed over to Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK) for arms training returned taking advantage of this policy.
These former militants returned along with their spouses and children. Ever since their return, the spouses are alleging that they are being treated as 2nd class citizens.
Scores of these former militants along with their spouses and children emerged here in Press Enclave Srinagar, breaking police cordon and marched in the heart of Srinagar city. Though police tried best to pacify them, yet these men, women and children created uproar, raised slogans to seek justice.
“We haven’t committed any crime but married to men from Kashmir. Neither we have been given any citizenship right nor are we being deported to our native lands. We are desperate to meet our families. We have human heart and can’t live without our parents,” said a protesting woman Taiba from Karachi to Kashmir News Trust.
The protesting women citied the examples of international Tennis star Sania Mirza and singer Adnan Sami. “Adnan Sami was given Indian citizenship despite being a native of Pakistan while Sania Mirza married to Pakistani cricketer Shoib Aktar and still she represents India at International level. Why this hypocrisy in our subject?” they said.
As per official record, 489 youth, out of 4,587 who had crossed over to Pakistan, have returned via Nepal route.
After settling here, the Pakistani women started alleging that they are not being counted anywhere. “We don’t get Adhar Cards, Ration Cards, Voter Identity Cards and even we face difficulties in getting our children admitted in any educational institution. Our demands are very simple, either accept us or send us back to our native areas,” the protesting women said.
Due to protest, traffic was disrupted for some time. Top police and civil officials rushed to spot. A bus was arranged for them and they were taken to Divisional Commissioners Office where officials assured them that matter will be taken up with higher authorities. (KNT)
