11/08/2026
PRESS NOTE
JSPM Submits Memorandum on Demographic Change in Jammu, Seeks Comprehensive Demographic Audit
Jammu: A delegation of the Jammu State People’s Movement (JSPM) submitted a detailed memorandum on the issue of demographic change in Jammu Province to the High-Level Committee examining demographic changes. The delegation comprised Col Ajay Raina, Chairman, JSPM and other functionaries, Ashwani Sharma, Shivani Vaid Sharma, Vir Vikram and Dr Vikas Padha.
Titled “Memorandum on Demographic Change in Jammu Province (1947–2026): Implications for National Security, Governance and Regional Identity”, the memorandum places before the Committee a detailed compilation of historical developments, legislative measures, administrative decisions, demographic trends and issues relating to land and settlement in Jammu.
JSPM emphasised that demography in Jammu cannot be examined merely as a statistical question. Given Jammu’s location along the International Border and Line of Control, its role as the principal land corridor to Kashmir, and the presence of major military, logistical and other strategic infrastructure, demographic changes in sensitive areas have direct implications for national security and governance.
The memorandum draws attention to what JSPM describes as the cumulative impact of nearly eight decades of demographic, administrative and settlement-related changes. These include migration, rehabilitation policies, land-use changes, encroachments on State and forest land, urban expansion and settlement patterns along strategically important corridors. JSPM has specifically urged the Committee to examine whether such developments have altered the demographic character of parts of Jammu and whether they have implications for political representation, resource allocation, regional identity and national security.
A major concern highlighted by the delegation is the alleged occupation and subsequent regularisation of State and forest land. The memorandum discusses the former Roshni Act, the extent of land transferred or regularised under the scheme, and the subsequent judicial and administrative action. It records figures presented in the memorandum of approximately 5.71 lakh kanals in Jammu Division, compared with approximately 33,392 kanals in Kashmir Division. JSPM has called for these figures, land records and the underlying transactions to be independently examined. A data of more than 12,000 Kanal of state and forest land encroached in and around Jammu city, including the wild life protected area, was also submitted.
The memorandum also raises concerns regarding settlement patterns along national highways, riverbeds, khads and nallas, and in proximity to military installations and other sensitive infrastructure. It argues that such locations require particular scrutiny from the perspective of security and land management.
JSPM has further drawn attention to allegations concerning the presence of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals, undocumented migration, changes in settlement patterns and planned encroachment in and around Jammu city. The Movement has stressed that these claims should be subjected to systematic verification through official records rather than treated either as established fact or dismissed as political allegations.
The delegation made it clear that JSPM does not question the constitutional right of Indian citizens to reside anywhere in the country in accordance with law, nor does it seek to view demographic change through a communal lens. Its principal demand is for an impartial, evidence-based examination of the issue to establish the legality and agenda behind such attempts.
JSPM has therefore urged the Committee to undertake a comprehensive demographic audit of Jammu, using Census data, revenue and land records, migration statistics, satellite imagery, land-use data and public consultations. The Movement stated that the objective is not to seek predetermined conclusions, but to ensure that Jammu’s concerns are examined objectively in the larger interests of national security, constitutional governance, social harmony and balanced regional development.
