Listens issues of nomadic Gujjars
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 12: BJP MP Rajya Sabha, Gulam Ali Khatana today directed the authorities to enable smooth transhumance and listen to the grievances of the common man and ensure resolution instead of confrontation.
Hundreds of angry nomadic Gujjars agitated over denial of permission to move towards upper reaches along with cattle stock today met MP Rajya Sabha Gulam Ali Khatana and sought redressal of their grievances.
The Gujjar delegation narrated their woes due to non-cooperation by the district administration and harassment by the police authorities. They said that officials of the Animal Husbandry Department manhandled with them while visiting the district office.
Gulam Ali said that BJP Government led by Narendra Modi has been always keeping the interests of backward sections of the society and if someone is harassing the most nationalist section of the population, it is most unfortunate. He immediately issued directions to the concerned authorities to resolve the issue immediately.
He said that the delay in permissions has forced the nomads to postpone their movement to the upper reaches by a month and now the peak of Summer has already started and cattle would be suffering in the absence of food stock and water.
The officers of the district administration blamed the police authorities for delay in issuing permission in the absence of police verification. Later MP deputed BJP ST Morcha president, Roshan Choudhary to accompany the Gujjar delegation and resolve their issues with authorities.
Gujjars also claimed non-availability of the Government transport for transhumance recently announced by the Tribal Department of UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
MP Gulam Ali said that Government has announced the provision of transport for transhumance with good intentions but this will create a sense of discrimination and also disturb the natural habitation besides hampering the local environment.
He said that Government alone cannot provide for transhumance of such vast numbers of cattle stock.
A number of other delegations including Sakshar Bharat, people belonging to Rajouri, Poonch, Srinagar, Anantnag, Pulwama, Doda met MP Gulam Ali and projected their demands.
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