Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 9: A large number of milk suppliers belonging to Gujjar community today observed a total strike, took out a rally and blocked Tawi Bridge in protest against the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) which they alleged was unnecessarily harassing them. The protestors were also demanding hike in price of milk in view of rising prices of feed and fodder.
The protest demonstration was organized by Doodhi Gujjar Association (DGA). The Gujjars also hampered movement of vehicular traffic for about one hour at Tawi bridge after squatting on the road and spilling canes of milk in river Tawi as a mark of protest.
DC Jammu Ajit Kumar Sahoo held a meeting with leaders of protesting Gujjars and assured them that a possible solution will be found to the issue, however the protesting Gujjars were not satisfied with it and decided to continue the strike.
To foil the Gujjars protest, the administration had also deployed several contingents of police still they (Gujjars) assembled outside the Press Club here and moved towards the Tawi bridge in the shape of a rally amidst shouting anti JMC slogans.
The protestors alleged that their milk is being regularly destroyed by the JMC officials just to harass them for the unknown reasons and the price of milk is too meager that they are unable to survive and feed their cattle as cost of fodder has increased manifold.
While briefing to media persons Faizal, a leader of DGA said that the JMC officials are irrationally harassing the milk sellers by spilling their milk on the name of adulteration which is not true.
He further said that where the prices of cattle fodder and feed is sky touching contrary to it the price of milk is minimal resulting heavy financial loses to the milk sellers who are mostly Gujjars.
Meanwhile, milk supply in various parts of the city remained affected due to Gujjars strike today.
Jameel Choudhary president DGA has said that none of the demands were accepted hence strike will continue.
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