Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: Reacting on State Government’s announcement of holding Panchayat election in J&K in the months of June and July this year, former Minister and MLA Kalakote Abdul Ghani Kohli today demanded that Governor should intervene and pre-pone or post-pone the electoral process keeping in view the Tribal migration of a sizeable population which spend its summers in the upper reaches along with their livestock.
Mr Kohli, in a letter to Governor NN Vohra, stated that Gujjars- Bakerwals and other nomadic tribes will be under seasonal tribal migration to upper reaches of Himalaya during June- July and they cannot participate in the election process, if the election will be held in summer months.
He further stated that these nomads start their seasonal migration towards upper reaches in last week of April and they will be back to their home only after November 15. Therefore, the election must be held either before May or after November.
Mr Kohli said that the Gujjars and Bakerwals constitute a sizeable population of the State and Government should take their grievances into consideration while deciding over the issue of holding Panchayati elections in the State. He said that our tribes participate in the election with enthusiasm but due to this announcement they feel resentful and angry. Through communication he also sought time from the Governor for hearing on this petition of nomadic tribes.
Mr Kohli said a delegation of community will shortly meet Election Commission of India and submit a memorandum for holding of elections in the State before May or after November.
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