Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 12: Reacting on, Gujjars and Bakerwals -the main ST groups, today demanded that the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill passed by the Parliament of India recently, be extend to Jammu and Kashmir as it can help them to fight more forcefully against atrocities they face.
In this connection, a discussion was organized here today under the banner of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation -a frontal organization of Gujjars-Bakerwals. Noted Research and Gujjar Scholar, Dr Javaid Rahi, presided over the programme while other dignitaries attended the programme.
Dr Javaid Rahi while speaking on the occasion, said: “To provide social equality, speedy justice to the tribals of J&K, the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, passed by Parliament in amended form, may be extended to J&K. “Such provision, if extended to J&K, could not only prevent atrocities, discrimination, harassment against the SCs, STs, but will provide legal safeguard against anti tribal forces”, he added.
The Act which was passed recently by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in amended form and sent to President of India for nod, is a law made to protect the life and dignity of tribal communities across India. However, this Act was not made applicable to the tribes of J&K by virtue of the State’s special status.
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