Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 11: Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) members including several social activists and political representatives from various parties today strongly condemned the UT Administration especially district administration Kathua for harassing the nomad Gujjars.
Click here to watch video
Addressing a press conference here today Ch Arshed Ali, Chairman of the Trust, who was flanked by other members said that about 90% Nomad Gujjars are shelterless. They originally hail from J&K state. Instead of harassing and destroying their shelters, the Govt must take measures to settle them permanently.
Ali said Government is duty bound to provide basic needs to its poor citizens, especially house/shelter, water, road and electricity etc but the Administration instead of providing them these facilities is bent upon to destroy their shelters.
He claimed that a few days back at village Madeen in district Kathua, Gujjar Bastis- Zarai and Dhar Dugan in Tehsil Billawar Administration issued notices to poor Gujjar Bakarwals of these Bastis to vacate their shelters to which they are living there for the last 40 to 50 years.
“It shall be a big injustice with these poor nomads if they are dislocated,” he added,
During militancy this community has suffered a lot but now peace prevails in J&K but this community is still suffering.
“We appeal to the present NC Government and Lieutenant Governor of J&K that the concerned administration especially Kathua and Jammu districts may be directed not to harass and destroy the shelters of Gujjar- Bakarwal community. They are peace loving and patriotic community. They have sacrificed their lives to protect their motherland during the militancy in J&K,” Ashred Ali said.
He said Prime Minister has announced various schemes for the Schedule Tribes, especially Forest Rights Act to the Schedules Tribes, Educational upliftment of Tribals, PM Awas Yojana but here administration is doing the opposite to it.
Senior members- Ch Bashir Ahmed Noon, Ch Bashir Ahmed Khatana, Shoukat Javed, Ch. Aslam Khan, Ch Mohd Aslam Gheghi and Ch Mohd Anwar also accompanied.
The post Stop harassing nomad Gujjars: Gurjar Desh Trust appeared first on Daily Excelsior.