Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Jan 13: A one day convention of Pahari speaking people, from parts of district Rajouri and Poonch was held at Thanamandi today.
The convention was held under the banner of J&K Pahari Culture and Welfare Forum while former Minister Sayeed Mushtaq Bukhari from Surankote chaired the programme. The function was presided over by Sayed Mohd Azam Shah and organized under the leadership of Shamim Ahmed Mughal.
The main speakers including Bukhari, Mughal, Vijay Kocher, Shahbaz Khan and others strongly reiterated their demand of providing ST status to the Pahari speaking people. They pointed out that people from the Pahari belt including Poonch, Rajouri, Karnah, Uri, Tangdhar, Kupwara are suffering a lot in view of their backwardness.
There is need to launch united struggle for the common cause. They appealed the Pahari speaking people to get united and intensify their struggle for the cause. These leaders further said that their demand has been projected with the Prime Minister, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi but the Centre does not seem to be serious over the issue. Many top leaders made recommendations but nothing happened. The Paharis are being befooled every time.
Some speakers claimed that Coalition Government has not pleaded their cause and they will shortly decide next course of action. They may play crucial role in defeating coalition in next elections. They said Paharis are facing discrimination since long and they can not be cowed-down. The speakers declared to launch State wide agitation shortly.
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