- Calls on Governor, take up Sarore incident, settlement of nomads
JAMMU: Taking up the issue of Sarore incident with Governor, a deputation comprising legislators and social activists of Gujjar community led by Former Minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali called on Governor of J&K NN Vohra. They also take up the issues of Settlement of nomads, Forest Right and dubbing of Gujjars under the category of bovine smugglers by the Police.
Accompanied by MLA Mendher and Former Deputy Chairman Legislative Council Javaid Rana, MLA Rajouri Choudhary Qammar Hussain, Former MLC Nizam ud Din Khatana, President of J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Conference Haji Mohammad Yousaf, Hussain Ali Wafa, Mohammad Yaseen Poswal, Retired Police Officer Sardar Khan, Dr Gafoor Choudhary, Youth Gujjar leader Chowdhary Talib Hussain, Mohammad Shafi and Nazakat Khatana, Former Minister and MLA Darhal Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali met Governor NN Vohra in Civil Secretariat Jammu in which 4 major issues pertaining to nomads were discussed.
Community leaders demanded judicial probe in Sarore Samba incident and punishment to culprits in a time bound manner. Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali briefed Governor on behalf of the community that there is well planned conspiracy to target Gujjars and the drive is purely selective only to harass Gujjars. He also pointed towards occupation of land by the land grabbers and no action thereon by the government to evict them. They also handed over CD of the video clips captured during Sarore episode as a proof of Police involvement in the killing of Gujjar youth at Sarore. They also questioned thrashing and smashing to Gujjar youths by goons in front of Police. They demanded judicial probe and lodging of FIR under 302 RPC. It was further requested that necessary instructions may be issued to the Forest Department / JDA, all DDCs and SSP’s of the state not to evict, dislocate any member of the Gujjar Bakerwal community from the areas under their occupation at present till a comprehensive settlement policy is framed by the Government for nomadic.
Gujjar leaders also take up the issue of permanent settlement of Nomadic Gujjar Bakerwals of the state. Briefing Governor, Zulfkar said that Gujjar and Bakerwal community in the state is demanding rehabilitation of the landless nomads from long time back thus requested that the concerned authorities may be kindly directed to identify the suitable pieces of lands in each district where these nomads could be settled so that they can live a comfortable life.
Demanding implementation of Forest Rights Act in the State of J&K, Gujjar leaders briefed Governor that forests are the home of lakhs of nomadic Gujjars-Bakarwals in J&K and the livelihood of this community mostly depends on forests. They said that forest right act has been implemented in whole India except J&K state and since there is a constant demand of nomadic tribal community for implementation of the said act in the state, it must be implemented in the interest of this deprived community.
Meanwhile Gujjar leaders also demanded keeping Nomads outside purview of Section 188 of RPC. They said that the nomads travel from one place to another throughout year and they always travel along with their livestock but Police is harassing them and even cases are being lodged under 188 RPC by dubbing Gujjars in illegal trafficking and bovine smuggling which must be stopped. They requested that instructions may be passed to Police to keep trafficking of animals by nomads outside purview of 188 RPC. Director General of Police, K. Rajendra Kumar and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, were also present on the occasion.
The Governor called upon the Legislators to initiate the required measures for improving the lives of the Gujjar community, particularly through the provision of access to better education and healthcare facilities. For this purpose, he urged the community leaders to get involved with planned efforts to settle various groups which are residing in scattered locations all over the region. He said the Government will explore the possibility of establishing colonies with basic amenities for rehabilitating the community. The Governor urged the Legislators to continue their efforts for sustained development and welfare of the Gujjar community in their respective constituencies.