Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH Mar 14: Maintaining that the problems and needs of Gujjars and Bakerwals are different than other people of the State, Shamsher Hakla Poonchi a prominent Gujjar leader and intellectual today demanded that the community needs a special attention from Government also.
In a statement issued here today he said on 19 April 1991 the Government of India while recognizing the backwardness of Gujjar Bakarwal community of the State declared them as Scheduled Tribe under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution.
But after a lapse of over 25 years since then the State Government failed to implement it in letter and spirit. He said all the efforts made by the Union Government for development and welfare of the community were deliberately obstructed by the State Government which resulted into backwardness of the community in spheres of life.
Hakla in an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanded special recruitment in of the youth of the community in Indian Army, Border Security Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police. He also appealed to Prime Minister of India to sanction special package for development and welfare of Gujjar Bakarwal of J&K. It would be only then that their economical, educational, political and social backwardness could be removed and this community Gujjar Bakarwal may get due justice this way only and towards which their eyes are firmly focused, Hakla added.
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