Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Nov 6: The Gujjars urged the State Government to come up with a strict law for purchase of land owned by tribal near big cities and towns.
The community members stated that the influential land mafia and other agencies must be stopped immediately who are active in various districts of Jammu division and pressurizing Gujjars to sellout their ancestral lands to them for their big projects.
They were speaking in a programme organized by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, which was organized today to discuss problems being faced by tribal communities. The programme was presided over by noted Gujjar Scholar Dr Javaid Rahi and attended by dignitaries of the tribe.
Dr Javaid Rahi in his address stated that during the course of interaction with a number of tribal deras it has been found that a law is required immediately to prevent tribal from land mafia which are active to purchase the land owned by tribal people especially by Gujjars residing near cities and towns. He added that a law is required whereby the consent of local tribal-Jirga be made mandatory for acquisition of land, even by the Government for its use.
He said in order to safeguard their livelihood, tribal identity and culture surviving near cities and towns, a law is must to disallow acquisition of tribal land by a non-tribal, including private companies and prevent them from the land mafia.
He added that a number of groups are active in different areas which are pressurizing tribal groups to sell-out their properties located in business areas. Those who became the victims are suffering hard due to displacement, he stated.
The speakers demanded that the Government must have to return unutilized tribal land with it or PSUs, or use the same for resettlement of displaced tribal people.
They said that government should evolve strategy for proper usage of land owned by tribal for harvesting through various small and large water sources, including big rivers.
Those who spoke include Dr Raheem, Wazir Mohammad Tedwa, Sarwar Hussain, Mohammad Iqbal Kataria and Mohammad Ameen.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel