J&K Gujjars seek support for raising ‘Gujjar Regiment’ in Army

By
Daily Excelsior
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Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18:  The Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir today sought support from the community residing in other 12 North Western States of India including Rajasthan and Gujarat  and asked for a joint  struggle  for raising of a full-fledged ‘Gujjar-Regiment’ in Indian Army on the pattern of ‘Jat’, ‘Rajput’ and Dogra Regiments.
The community members in a programme,  organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation here today, expressed strong resentment over unwarranted delay in raising of ‘Gujjar Scouts’ which stands approved in J&K.
“The struggle is going on since 1940 for a separate regiment of Gujjars in Indian Army”, said Dr Javaid Rahi, secretary of Tribal Foundation, adding ” now we have also decided to join hands with Gujjars of other States of India to fight more vigorously to achieve this long pending goal’.
Referring a letter, dated November 27, 1940 of Government of India, Department of Defence, Army Branch, addressed to Gujjar Kshatriya Sabha Meerat City, which  says that the Central Government was planning to raise a Gujjar Regiment even in 1940, Mr Rahi said that  they we are fighting for that till date.
He said a delegation also met Prime Minister of India  Narendra Modi in New Delhi some days back and projected the demand and the  Foundation has  sent a fresh memorandum  to PMO recently.
The speakers further questioned that why the decision of Government of India taken on December 22, 2003 has not been implemented where under it was approved that a new force comprising Gujjars and Bakarwals of Jammu and Kashmir would be raised for deployment on the difficult terrains of the State to serve for the security of the people residing in border and Pir Panchal area of the State. The proposed force was to be named as the “Gujjar Scouts” and was designed to be framed on the pattern of Ladakh Scouts.
Speakers  said that even it was reported in a section of press that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had also approved this proposal in January 2004.

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