Jagti’s Long Wait: KPs battle neglect after 36 years of displacement

Jammu Tawi, August 2: For nearly three decades, Jagti migrant township has remained a symbol of the unresolved pain of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Many residents who left their homes in the Kashmir Valley during the outbreak of terrorism in 1989-90 have spent their final years longing for a return that never came.

Residents recall the story of Totaram Bhat, who passed away last month believing that the small hill near Jagti resembled the boundary of his ancestral village in Anantnag. Like many others, he carried memories of his homeland until his last breath.

Lawyer Vishwa Ranjan Pandita said the displacement has now turned into a prolonged struggle against neglect. He stated that while Jagti township was developed around 2010 to provide safer accommodation and dignity to displaced families, poor maintenance and unfulfilled commitments have left residents facing serious hardships.

Panun Kashmir has expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the township and is preparing legal action, alleging failure by successive governments to maintain the residential facilities. Chairman Tito Ganju said the poor condition of Jagti and other migrant camps has become a serious public safety concern, particularly during the monsoon season.

Jagti township comprises 4,242 two-room flats spread across 24 buildings, housing around 5,600 families. Residents complain of damaged structures, water seepage, leaking roofs, poor sanitation and shortages of basic amenities. They have also raised concerns over vacant flats and unused commercial spaces.

Residents say repeated complaints regarding repairs, drinking water and electricity shortages have remained unresolved. Many elderly residents continue to struggle with limited financial assistance, with registered relief recipients currently receiving 9 kg rice and ₹3,200 monthly cash assistance per person.

Community members allege that their issues are often overlooked and that displaced families have been used only for political gains. They have demanded urgent repairs, structural safety audits, restoration of the Engineering Wing of the Relief Department and improvement of road connectivity between Nagrota and Jagti.

A petition submitted to the National Human Rights Commission has highlighted structural deficiencies, poor living conditions and lack of maintenance, seeking immediate intervention to ensure safety and dignity for displaced families.

For many Kashmiri Pandits living in Jagti, the wait for justice, rehabilitation and a dignified life continues even after 36 years of displacement.