Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 3: Jammu and Kashmir Chopan Welfare Association (JKCWA) today protested in Press Enclave Srinagar, demanding grant of tribal status to Chopan (Shepherd) community, compensation for huge losses to its livestock, employment avenues (like posts of shepherds, attendants), quality education to their children through mobile schools and welfare measures for sheep breeders, Gujjar and Bakerwal communities.
JKCWA State president Haji Abdul Aziz said that a resolution to grant tribal status to Chopan community was passed in the State Legislative Assembly in 2010, but the Centre has not taken any cognizance of that resolution so far.
“The same community in our Jammu division has already been granted this status and there should be no discrimination as far as the status of community living in Kashmir is taken into consideration.”
While expressing serious concern over the miserable living standards of the Chopan community, Aziz demanded compensation for huge losses to its livestock suffered due to recent incessant rains in the State.
Nazir Ahmad Chopan president JKCWA South Kashmir said that it was very important to provide this important community a platform in the form of an advisory board to address their demands for their uplift.
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