Paharis threaten agitation for ST status

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 1: Pahari People today held conference at Rajouri and warned agitation if the Coalition Government fails to implement election agenda vis-à-vis promise to Pahari speaking people for granting ST status to them.
While addressing the gathering, JKPPM leader Shahbaz Khan said that Pahari community comprising Hindu Muslim Sikhs, having common culture and language with Gujjar brethren remained ignored in all the fields with organized conspiracy of some anti social and anti national forces which did not want peace in the State.
Veteran Pahari leader A R Mirza presided over the programme, which was organized by R S Malla Thakur, provincial general secretary of Pahari Youth Federation and Amir Qureshi.
All the speakers expressed their anguish over the Coalition Govt emotionally blackmailing the sentiments of the people for vested and political interest.
Mufti Majeed and Shahnawaz Thakur warned that any delay was not in the national interest and the same   can create frustration among youth, who may be misguided by anti social or anti national elements.
Shahbaz Khan appealed Pahari youths to come forward and launch peaceful struggle against the clear cut discrimination meted out to them for the more than 30 year.
Highlighting the grievances of Pahari speaking people due to various natural calamites, ongoing proxy war waged by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged insensitive attitude of the Government,  Satpal Singh stressed that  wounds of  the  community could be healed by granting ST status to them.
Other Pahari leaders also addressed the gathering and appealed youth to remain united under single umbrella organization, J&K Pahari Cultural & Welfare Forum & J&K Pahari People Movement in the best interest of the community.