Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 20: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today expressed serious concerns over the targeting of tribal Muslim community in Jammu.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference here, Mehbooba asked the Governor’s administration to take immediate measures to restore the confidence of this vulnerable community in the system.
Click here to watch video
She said that selective eviction notices were served to 33 nomadic families in Jammu after the collapse of Government. She said in December 2018, an anti encroachment drive against Gujjar and other marginalized Muslim families in Jammu was initiated.
“All this despite existing directives issued by her as the Chief Minister in February 2018, whereby no tribal community should be disturbed or dislocated till the time the State Government can formulate a tribal policy. The directive had also said that if any such an eviction drive was necessary, it should be done after consulting the Tribal Affairs Department”, she said.
Mehbooba said “Ikk Jutt Jammu Maha Adhiveshan (The Save Jammu Crusade)” is being organised that reportedly talk about the dangers posed to the people of Jammu from the growth of Muslim colonies in and around Jammu, and how it is a concerted effort to change its demography. These are reflective of the mindset of the perpetrators of such bigotry, she said.
“These extremist elements have created fear among fresh settlers by physically targeting individuals in isolated incidents so that they don’t plan permanent settling in Jammu. This is what they have done during the past as well, Mehbooba said.
She pointed out that circle rates in Sunjwan and Bathindi areas have been raised to Rs 1.5 crore per kanal while as in Chowadi it is Rs 65 lakh per kanal. This she said, has been done is a deliberate attempt to make purchase of land in areas being inhabited by Muslim in particular difficult.
“Attempts are being made to include all Muslim areas under Jammu Municipality so that constructions are stopped on all non proprietary land and without permission”, the PDP president said.
She said that the party will do everything to voice their concerns and highlight any bias and marginalization perpetrated by the State.
Mehooba warned the Government that giving in to communal designs is like playing with fire in an already politically fragile State. “Any tinkering with the minorities in Jammu will have cascading effect in Kashmir and the situation can go out of control. The Governor administration must therefore be cautious in dealing with this matter”, she said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
