Question : VILLAGERS CROSSING BORDER

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `30 villagers cross over PoK` appearing in the `Hindustan Times` dated 14.4.2002;

(b) if so, the reasons for their migration to PoK;

(c) whether these people have shifted to PoK and lodged in the refugee camps and show caused as victims of Indian atrocities to visiting International Human Rights groups in Pakistan;

(d) if so, the facts in this regard; and

(e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO )


(a) & (b): Yes, Sir, the Government is aware of the news item. During the intervening night of April 11/12,2002, four families comprising 30 members of village Kannari (Sector Sawjian) District Poonch crossed over the LOC. As reported by the State Government, the reason for migration of these families to POK is reportedly a land dispute.

(c) & (d): The authorities in POK invariably exploit the presence of such families in their controlled area by exhibiting them before the media and others. These migrants are extensively tutored to narrate the concocted tales of harassment and atrocities committed by Indian security forces.

(e): State Government has indicated that barring this incident the migration of people from this side by and large has stopped in view of various measures taken by the state Government.