Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 25: Tribal Research and Cultural foundation (TRCF), a frontal organization of Gujjars, today appealed the law enforcement agencies and protestors for the safe passages to nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals along with their livestock who are under seasonal migration through various routes in curfew bound/restricted areas of Kashmir valley and Jammu province.
In this connection, TRCF today mailed a memo to Governor NN Vohara and Chief Minister Mebooba Mufti, who is also the Tribal Minister, demanding their immediate intervention, as migratory tribes are facing tremendous hardships due to various restrictions in curfew bound areas in the Valley and other areas during the current course of migration towards plain areas of Jammu and Kashmir. A copy of the memo was also sent to Defence Minister of India.
The appeal was issued after a meeting of the foundation presided over by noted Gujjar Scholar, Dr Javaid Rahi and attended by various community leaders.
The speakers said that other than seven hilly routes of Pirpanjal, Gujjars and Bakerwals are also migrating through roads and routes including Mughal Road via Shopian, Bandipura, Kupwara, Baramulla, Budgam, Srinagar, Kulgam, Pulwama, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Rajouri and other districts, leading towards plain areas of the State and are facing hardships due to protest and restrictions. They appealed for a humanitarian approach towards nomadic people.
Meanwhile, the community members demanded inquiry to a news report whereby ‘eight horses were killed when an “unknown” vehicle of forces hit them in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district in the intervening night of September 24 and 25. They also demanded immediate compensation for nomadic families.
They appealed to various NGO’s and other Government agencies to mobile their resources for providing necessary logistical facilities to these nomadic tribes so that they are able to move smoothly towards their destinations without loss to their live-stock and other properties.
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