Srinagar, Sep 16 (IANS): Congress leader and former Union minister Saifuddin Soz has said the issuance of a large number of domicile certificates in J&K has led to apprehensions of demographic changes among Kashmiris.

In a statement on Wednesday he said it is alarming that the UT administration has issued over 17 lakh Domicile Certficates, of these, 12.44 lakh certificates have been issued in Jammu, while 4.16 lakh 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.

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.

"The least that J&K UT government 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 government is of the view that it has no concern and duty for the feelings of Kashmir's masses, then, it must take that position, categorically," he said.