Dhami warns officials facilitating demographic shifts in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has warned officials who facilitated documents for ineligible migrants, leading to demographic shifts in different parts of the state. He said that attempts to alter Uttarakhand’s demography will not be allowed and that efforts are underway to identify areas where such changes are happening.

Dhami alleged that deliberate efforts are being made to change the demography in various parts of the state. He said that officials responsible for issuing documents to illegal settlers in the past will now be held accountable. He added that such demographic shifts could compromise the state’s cultural values and the originality of the regions.

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“The demography and cultural values of the state will not be allowed to be compromised at any cost. The original character of this land must be preserved,” the Chief Minister said. He added that instructions have already been issued to district magistrates to identify areas undergoing demographic changes and the reasons behind them. Dhami further alleged that migrant settlers were earlier allowed to obtain documents such as Aadhaar cards and residential certificates, and were even provided infrastructure facilities in their names by administrative officials.

The Chief Minister said, “Officers under whose tenure activities leading to demographic changes took place — and during which ration cards, Aadhaar cards, and electricity connections were provided — will be held responsible. Action will be taken against them once the facts are established.”

Dhami claimed that there had been deliberate attempts to change the state’s demography in the past as well. He said several developments had taken place in this direction, but no attention was paid to them. “This will not be allowed to happen now,” he asserted.

Dhami stressed that work to upgrade Pantnagar Domestic Airport into an international airport would begin soon. He said this would benefit not only the people of Uttarakhand but also tourists visiting the region.