Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 5: Gujjars and Bakerwals through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation (TRCF) filed a petition before National Commission for Schedule Tribes and demanded impartial inquiry to identify the reasons why the Tribal population in Poonch District of J&K has shown 4 per cent less in census 2011.
The petition reads that the population of Gujjars and Bakerwals in the Poonch district has recorded a decline of around four percent over the previous census, as provisional results of Census 2011 displayed on the website of Registrar General of India under Union Home Ministry.
The community in response to this demanded an impartial inquiry headed by a retired judge into the matter.
The Gujjars pleaded before the commission to intervene and issue specific directions in the matter.
Dr Javaid Rahi, Secretary, TRCF informed that a petition has been filed before Tribal Commission and demanded that commission should appoint an inquiry into the issue to identify those who are against true enumeration of Gujjars and Bakerwals.
He said our population in Poonch and Rajouri districts is above 55 per cent but due to various reasons we are being shown less in numbers.
“We have already written letter to Home Minister, Governor of J&K, Chief Minister, Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner and demanded an impartial inquiry to identify the culprits who are responsible for wrong enumeration of Gujjars and Bakerwals, which fall under Schedule Tribe category.
Dr Rahi demanded fresh census of Poonch district so that the real figures could come out.
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