Rajouri, Sept 15: S. O. S. International, an organization advocating for justice for PoJK (Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir) displaced persons, has issued a strong demand for political parties to present concrete and actionable plans to address the core issues of the PoJK community in light of the upcoming Assembly elections.
In a pivotal meeting held on Sunday in Dhanwa village, Rajouri district, the organization under the leadership of Rajiv Chuni highlighted the critical role of the PoJK displaced community in the electoral process. Chuni warned that the 6.5 lakh votes from this community could decisively influence outcomes in 27-28 assembly seats across Jammu and Kashmir.
“The votes of our community will be instrumental in determining the results of several constituencies,” Chuni stated. “We want to ensure that politicians are clear about their plans to address our long-standing grievances if they seek our support.”
The meeting, which saw attendance from senior representatives of the Rajouri block, was convened to strategize the community’s approach for the elections. Chuni underscored the organization’s consistent efforts throughout the year to address the issues of the displaced community, asserting that their commitment remains unwavering despite the political landscape.
“This election period is a chance for our community to demand concrete responses from the political class,” Chuni remarked. “With only ten days left until the second phase of polling on September 25, it is crucial for us to assert our influence on the election outcomes, particularly in Rajouri and Poonch districts.”
He specifically identified the constituencies of Kalakote-Sunderbani, Nowshera, and Rajouri as areas where the PoJK community’s voting strength could be particularly decisive. Chuni expressed frustration with the repeated failures of political groups to address the challenges faced by the PoJK displaced persons, who have endured displacement and poverty for over seven decades.
“Our people have sacrificed so much and continue to live under harsh conditions, yet they have been largely neglected by those in power,” Chuni said. “We demand that political candidates present their plans to resolve our issues and provide transparency and accountability.”
Chuni also emphasized that the outcome of three out of eight assembly seats in Rajouri-Poonch districts, which will be contested in the second phase, will depend heavily on the PoJK votes. He called on political parties to publicly apologize for past failures and to make genuine commitments to address the community’s needs after the elections.
The meeting also discussed leveraging social media to communicate with the PoJK community about their voting decisions and maintaining a focus on the broader interests of the state and the nation.
Among the prominent figures who addressed the meeting were Susheel Sharma, Phuskar Nath Raina, Capt Ravinder Raina, and others. Vinod Kumar Dutta presided over the proceedings of the meeting.
