‘J&K govt has issued 17 lakh Domicile Certificates, even to those without permanent resident certificates’

Former Union Minister Prof. Saifuddin Soz on Wednesday expressed alarm over the issuing of over 17 lakh Domicile Certificates within a matter of a couple of weeks by the J&K UT Administration.

In a statement issued to the media, he said that of these, 12.44 lakh certificates have been issued in Jammu, while 4.16 lakhs certificates have been issued in Kashmir.

“The most worrying aspect of this hot-haste exercise is that these certificates have been issued to those persons also who do not possess Permanent Resident Certificates and this is what makes this whole exercise reckless,” he said.

“Kashmiris apprehend that this exercise is a clear attempt to change the demographic profile of Kashmir, which the people of Kashmir will resist, exercising their constitutional and democratic Rights,” he added.

“The least that the J&K UT Govt. can do is to issue a ‘white paper’ on the intention of issuing the enormous number of Permanent Resident Certificates and how best it can allay the apprehensions of the people of Kashmir,” he said.

“If J&K UT Govt. is of the view that it has no concern and duty for the feelings of Kashmir masses, then it must take that position, categorically,” the statement said.