STATE TIMES NEWS
SUNDERBANI: Extending its outreach programme, Pahari Tribe ST Forum, a socio cultural organization for welfare of Pahari Tribe, held Pahari Tribe convention at Dak Bungalow, Sunderbani.
During the programme block level bodies of Sunderbani and Siot Block were announced.
Prominent members of Pahari tribe took part in this convention and in one voice reiterated demand of due ST STATUS to the Pahari ethnicity. Signature campaign was also initiated in the area. Speakers on this occasion deliberated upon their demand for Scheduled Tribe status and said that their genuine demand has unfortunately been ignored since decades and Pahari tribe is still waiting to get its genuine right of ST status. After the release of draft by the delimitation commission in which 5 out of 8 MLA constituencies of Rajouri Poonch, has been reserved for ST and this too in the area predominated by the natives of Pahari Tribe in the twin border district is just like a do or die situation for Pahari Tribe to raise their concern with full conviction. They said that Pahari ethnicity constitute a tribe well mentioned by the government of India with constitutional amendment and live in hilly, tough terrain of border area lacking the deficiency in all sectors and also are part of seasonal migration every year and fulfills all prerequisite to be given Schedule Tribe status. The speakers hailed the concern shown by Government of India in recent times which clearly indicate that Pahari is set to get their basic right of Schedule Tribe status. Interacting during the proceedings the members of the ethnicity in one voice raised concerns of their downtrodden condition and appealed GOI to furnish their due long pending demand of ST status. The speakers also pointed that this time centre is lead by a government having complete majority and a PM with firm conviction who can address this genuine demand of much deprived tribe. From time to time different committees and expert panels declared Pahari tribe as the downtrodden ethnicity. Pertinent to mention since 1993 every Governor and Chief Minister of J&K has recommended due ST status to Pahari tribe, further added.
Pahari Tribe ST Forum executive members who interacted includes Adv. Ashan Mirza, Vikrant Sharma, Bharat Bushan Vaid, Adv. Gurdev Thakur, Adv. Sanjeev Sharma and Manir Mirza. Those prominent who were present includes DDC member from Sunderbani Rajinder Sharma, BDC Chairman Siot Balkrishan, Pritam Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Rakesh Sharma, Somdutt Sharma, Sarpanch Bodh Raj Sharma, Sarpanch Anil Kumar, councillor Dr. Anjana Verma, Inder Paul, Yash Paul, Gian Chand Sharma, Chaman Raina, Rajkumar, Madan Paul Sharma, Ravinder Singh, Rakesh Sharma, Om Parkash, Vishal Kessar Suram Chand, Sanjay Sharma, Vishal Sharma, Anil Sharma and Anil Sharma.