Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 2: A deputation comprising legislators and social activists of Gujjar community led by former Minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today called on Governor N N Vohra and submitted a memorandum highlighting demands for the welfare of Gujjar community.
The delegation demanded judicial probe in Sarore incident and punishment to culprits in a time bound manner. Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali briefed Governor on behalf of the community that there is well planned conspiracy to target Gujjars and the drive is purely selective only to harass Gujjars. He also pointed towards occupation of land by the land grabbers and no action thereon by the Government to evict them.
The delegation also took up the issue of permanent settlement of nomadic Gujjar Bakerwals of the State. Ch Zulfkar said that Gujjar and Bakerwal community in the State is demanding rehabilitation of the landless nomads from long time back and suitable pieces of lands should be identified in each district where these nomads could be settled.
Demanding implementation of Forest Rights Act in the State, Gujjar leaders briefed Governor that forests are the home of lakhs of nomadic Gujjars-Bakarwals and the livelihood of this community mostly depends on forests. They said that Forest Right Act has been implemented in whole India except J&K and since there is a constant demand of nomadic tribal community for implementation of the Act in the State, it must be implemented in the interest of this deprived community.
Meanwhile, Gujjar leaders also demanded keeping nomads outside purview of Section 188 of RPC.
The Governor urged the Legislators to continue their efforts for sustained development and welfare of the Gujjar community in their respective constituencies.
The delegation comprised of MLA Mendhar and former Deputy Chairman Legislative Council Javaid Rana, MLA Rajouri Choudhary Qammar Hussain, former MLC Nizam ud Din Khatana, President of J&K Gujjar Bakerwal Conference Haji Mohammad Yousaf, Hussain Ali Wafa, Mohammad Yaseen Poswal and others.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ghani Kohli, MLA Kalakote, Mohammad Amin Bhat, MLA Devsar, Aijaz Ahmad Mir, MLA Wachi and MLCs Sham Lal Bhagat, Zaffar Manhas and Surinder Ambardar had separate meetings with the Governor N N Vohra.
Mr Kohli urged the Governor to take up the issues concerning the nomadic people belonging to district Rajouri; holding Panchayat elections in Kalakote constituency at a time when the nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwal community is available at its native place; availability of rations and early completion of BPL survey which is reportedly pending for the last three years.
He also called for establishment of mobile dispensaries at Pir Marg and Thandapani for the nomadic community when they travel to the higher pastures for grazing their cattle, installation of mobile towers at Pir Ki Gali for better connectivity, bringing scenic spots like Wawan Sar, Pir Ki Gali, Katoria Sar, Shakar Khari Marg, Panjtari and Nouri Chamb on the tourism map of the state.
Amin Bhat demanded immediate taking up of flood protection measures by strengthening the river embankments at Larhma, Lily Pura, Sikloo, Sadora Vessu and Charma, which were badly damaged in floods and early reconstruction of the bridge at Sadaroora which was severely damaged in the September 2014 floods.
Aijaz Ahmad Mir called upon the Governor for early widening of Bijbehara-Shopian Road which, he said, will serve as by-pass to the Mughal Road and help ease traffic congestion. He also stressed the need for ensuring ready availability of quality fertilizers in the market for fruit growers at reasonable rates, restoration of irrigation canals damaged in the 2014 floods and early completion of work on bridges at Wachi, Zainpora, Khoujpora-Raban and Trenz-Sheikhpora.
Sham Lal highlighted the need for implementation of the 73rdAmendment, regularization of daily wagers and filling up of vacant posts in various departments. He also brought to the notice of the Governor the difficulties faced by the people of five panchayats in Doda district due to the non-availability of motorable road from Kanderi Nullah to Bulandpur via Basti Jattar.
He also urged the Governor to favourably consider the extension of Assar-Thandapani Road up to Bari-Marmat, which will provide relief to thousands of people residing in the close vicinity.
Zaffar Manhas specifically raised the development issues of Kandi Shopian including construction of a road from Keller to Dubjan leading up to the Mughal Road, early construction of Zrakan-Keller Bridge and taking up work on the power Receiving Station at Keller.
Ambardar highlighted the issue of making DAV School at Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar, functional and early finalization of the selected candidates list under the Prime Minister’s package for Kashmiri migrants. He also demanded construction of migrant quarters at Sheikhpora and Vessu, besides urgently operationalizing the hospital at Jagti Township in Jammu.
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