J&K Gujjars demanded Separate Region, Tribal Hill Council in state

Srinagar, October 24 (Scoop News) –Demanding a separate Pir Panchal Region or area and a Tribal Hill Council in Jammu and Kashmir for them,  the Gujjars and Bakerwals Scheduled Tribe community today urged   for strong recommendations from three-member team of interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir in their report to be submitted to Prime Minister of India by them,  for an irreversible provision along with  constitutional guaranties to reserve categories while deciding the Kashmir issue. In a meeting with  eminent journalist Dileep Padgaonkar, the leader of  interlocutors and others ,the members of Gujjar Bakerwal community today  pressed hard for grant of social, cultural , economic and political empowerment of community residing in for-flung and difficult areas of the state.

A delegation of intellectual of tribal Gujjar Bakerwal community led by Dr. Javaid Rahi met with the team here at Government Guest house and said Gujjars and Bakerwal community being suppressed deserves special attention of State and Unioin Government. He said although Gujjars constitute 20% population of the State but their presence is negligible in State affairs.

The delegation apprised the team that being possessing a different  identity, ideology and culture the Gujjars are demanding for a separate area/ region with tribal council for them  with in the state on the patron LEH / KARIGIL  HILL COUNCILE  so that their tribal uniqueness could be protected and preserved.The delegation pressed the team for special recommendation in this regard.  

The delegation informed the team about other problems being faced by Tribal Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir. A  6 page memorandum was also submitted to the team seeking their  help through  recommendations in implementation and strengthening of Schedule tribe status in the state by giving them the much awaited "Political Reservation" in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The other demands which were presented before the team for recommendation to relevant quarters  are  to providing of shelters and land to the nomad Gujjars who are since 1947 are landless and houseless in the state and living the life below poverty line. The deputation also demanded the inclusion of Gojri language in the 8 schedule of Indian constitution besides strengthening of Gojri wing of state academy of art, culture and languages in the state.

           
The community   also demanded that  union government should order to conduct a special  census  of  lakhs of nomadic and shelter-less  Gujjars and  Bakerwals of Jammu and Kashmir who are presently under seasonal migration along-with their livestock  to upper reaches of Northwestern Himalaya. The organization also demanded a special census survey of Gujjars with a correct enumeration of their tribe under “Shelter less category” in the course house listing  commenced  from yesterday. In all State of India Scheduled Tribe communities are rehabilitated on Forest lands as per Forest Act 2006 passed by the parliament the same should be extended to J&K state too. 

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