Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Mar 27: Members and Gujjar Bakerwals in a meeting here today discussed various problems being faced by them due to the failure of State Government in implementation of ST status granted to them by Union Government over two decades back in letter and spirit.
The meeting, which was chaired by prominent Gujjar leader and intellectual, Shamsher Hakla Poonchi while threadbare deliberating over the issue appealed the Union Government to impress upon the State leadership to implement the ST status in letter and spirit and take measures in solving the problems of Gujjars living in hilly and backward areas of the State.
Hakla said Gujjars and Bakerwals who are patriots to the core need special attention for their development and welfare as no country can become prosperous where all sections of the society are not provided equal opportunities for progress. He demanded Gujjars be also provided equal opportunities for progress and development.
He said the problems of the Gujjars and Bakerwals are different from other communities as they live in farflung and secluded areas where they have no proper facilities of life like schooling and hospitals. Some times even people due to lack of proper medicare facilities die while on their way to hospital due to lack of road connectivity.