Address concerns of Gujjars, parties told

Gujjar community leaders have given a clarion call to launch a sustained struggle to secure their political, social, economic and cultural rights in the state.

Gujjar community leaders have given a clarion call to launch a sustained struggle to secure their political, social, economic and cultural rights in the state.

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J&K Gujjars United Front president Shah Mohammad Chowdhary has called upon all political parties to give priority to numerical position, historical legacy and contemporary concerns of the Gujjars and the Bakerwals in the state. Gujjar leaders had organised a convention in the backdrop of deteriorating political and economic profile of Gujjars and their noticeable absence from the political picture and administration.

The issues that assumed prominence for future course of action were: political reservation in the legislative assembly and panchayats at the level of village, block and district; removal of imbalances in recruitments and promotions to various state services and called for due representation to community in the Public Service Commission and SSRB; isutilisation and misappropriation of central funds; adherence to special central assistance to tribal sub-plan as per provisions; and to safeguard and protect the interests of tribal communities.

The leaders urged the Centre to direct the state government to create especially dedicated ministry of tribal affairs in the state. It was resolved in the convention for immediate special survey to find out economic conditions and poverty level among the Gujjar tribals and devise special measures for most disadvantaged sections. The convention called for special recruitment drive for Gujjars in police, education department (Rehbar-e-Taleem), health department, etc.