Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: Alleging harassment of the Gujjars and Bakerwals, All Tribal Coordination Committee (ATCC) today took out a protest march from Sidhra to Raj Bhawan.
The protesters were carrying banners and raising slogans against selective eviction of tribal community members. They alleged that the Government was harassing them and not taking action against big sharks.
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They threatened to launch a State wide mass protest if alleged harassment of the community members is not stopped by the Government administration on behalf of some communal elements.
While addressing the gathering, ATCC chairman Talib Hussain said that the tribals of J&K have had been using forests judiciously for grazing purpose and the community was infact protecting the green gold. However, he alleged, the tribal community was now facing a reign of terror unleashed by the Forest Minister, who himself was allegedly involved in the land grabbing.
The ATCC leader appealed the Governor and Chief Minister to take steps for protection of the tribal community and implement Forest Rights Act in the State for giving rights to the tribal community allowing them to use the forests for grazing purpose.
Chowdhary Anwar Phambra, incharge ATCC, highlighted the demand for political reservation and also in promotions, residential colonies for nomads in and around Jammu on the pattern of Jagti township and withdrawal of PSA against the community youth, who have been booked allegedly on the behest of ‘Gau Rakshaks’.
Others, who spoke on the occasion, included Choudhary Nazakat Khatana, Rafaqat Ajaz, Haji Maqbool, Haji Ghulam Rasool Bania, Haq Nawaz, Liaqat Ali, Sayeed Zeeshan Kazmi, Siraj Din, Wajid Khatana, Mushtaq Budhgami, Imran Rasheed, Shamas din, Jamaat Ali and others.
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