Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 19: JKUT president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Darshan Rana has issued an urgent appeal to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration, the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, requesting immediate action to facilitate the seasonal migration of the Bakerwal community along with their livestock.
Rana said as one of the oldest nomadic communities in the region, the Bakerwals, undertake annual migration with their herds across mountainous terrains, any delay or disruption in their traditional movement schedule, can severely impact their livelihood and the health of their animals. Due to current administrative delays, lack of logistical arrangements, and absence of adequate ground-level coordination, the Bakerwals are facing hardships in proceeding with their seasonal journey, which has traditionally been smooth and well-supported in earlier years.
Rana emphasized that the delay in making these arrangements not only causes suffering to thousands of tribal families but also jeopardizes the well-being of the livestock they depend on for their sustenance. He reminded the administration that tribal communities like the Bakerwals are integral to the heritage of Jammu & Kashmir and that supporting them during their seasonal transitions is both a constitutional obligation and a moral responsibility.
The current situation, marked by poor coordination and lack of preparedness, reflects a serious lapse in governance and threatens to erode the trust between the tribal population and the state machinery. Rana called on the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to immediately deploy special teams, in coordination with the district administrations, to assess the situation on the ground and take action without any further delay. He also demanded the setting up of temporary checkpoints with medical care for livestock, mobile veterinary units, and supply chains for essentials to assist the migrating families.
The BSP leadership has assured the Bakerwal community that their concerns are being taken up with the highest authorities and reaffirmed the party’s unwavering commitment to social justice, equality, and tribal welfare. He warned that if adequate steps are not taken within the coming days, the BSP would be compelled to adopt agitational path.
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