Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Dec 12: Shamsher Hakla Poonchi, the prominent Gujjar leader and an intellectual of J&K today said that Government needs to take concrete steps for the welfare and upliftment of Gujjar and Bakarwal Tribe of J&K which in true sense will lead to development of J&K.
The Gujjar Bakarwal Tribe resides in 20 districts of J&K and mostly in hilly and far-flung areas near forests and on the Indo-Pak LoC and International Border (IB) with the population of over many lakhs. Most habitation areas of Gujjar Bakarwal Tribe in J&K lack facilities like road communication, electricity, water supply, medical facilities and educational facilities which put Gujjar and Bakarwal Tribe in lot of hardships and trouble.
He demanded opening of boarding schools in all the districts of J&K on the pattern of Nodya Vidyalaya for Boys and Girls student of Gujjar Bakarwal and also for establishing a Tribal University in J&K for Gujjar Bakarwal students.
Hakla said that the Gujjar Bakarwal Tribe generally speaks Gojri language and their mother language is Gojri. But it has become a backward language and demanded inclusion of it in 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution.
Hakla said that the recognizing the backwardness of Gujjar Bakarwal Tribe of J&K, Government of India granted Scheduled Tribe status to them under ordinance No. 03 of 1991 but till date they were deprived of political empowerment.
Hakla demanded reservation of Assembly segments and Lok Sabha segments in J&K for Gujjar Bakarwal community for their empowerment.
Hakla demanded framing of policies and schemes for the permanent settlement and upliftment of some of the unsettled and nomadic people of Gujjar Bakarwal Tribe of J&K.
He said that the need of the hour for development and welfare of Gujjars Bakarwals is establishing a Tribal Development Council in J&K with the financial and developmental power by the Government of India.
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