Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: Jammu & Kashmir Gujjars United Front (JKGUF) has been reconstituted with a renewed resolve to safeguard the rights, dignity, and aspirations of the Gujjar and Bakarwal community across the Union Territory.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Press Club, Jammu, where the new office bearers were introduced and pressing community issues were raised.
The new structure of the front is headed by Ch Sajad Majeed Chechi as patron-in-chief with Advocate Mohd Anwar Choudhary as president. Other key positions include Advocate Ishtiaq Bhatti as senior vice-president, Showkat Ali Choudhary (Bari Samba) as vice-president, Advocates Mohd Azam and Mohd Akram as general secretaries, Bashir Ahmed Noon as financial advisor, and Mohd Sadiq of Kathua has been named spokesperson.
Secretarial responsibilities will be shared by Advocate Mehmood Ahmed Rizvi, Amir Khalil Khatana and Mohd Kashif while Shama Choudhary (Ex-Corporator) has been chosen as joint secretary. Other members include Amir Din Kasana, president of Gujjar Islahi Committee; Showkat Gujjar, president of J&K Gujjar Bakarwal Samaj; Dr Gafoor Ahmed of Akhnoor; Farooq Shikari of Doda; Fatima Farooq (Ex- BDC member, Doda); and Mohd Akhtar Poswal of Reasi.
The leaders stressed that the community continues to face pressing issues related to socio-economic upliftment, educational empowerment, and the enforcement of constitutional and Tribal Rights, including the Forest Rights Act. They expressed concern over the neglect of their genuine demands and condemned what they termed as malicious attempts to malign the Gujjars by associating them with drug smuggling and unlawful animal transportation.
The Front also accused the police, JDA and Forest Department of unleashing excesses on innocent tribal families, citing incidents of custodial torture and killings of Gujjar youth in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Kulgam and Udhampur. Demanding impartial probes, the leaders reiterated their commitment to fight against injustice.
They further resolved to cooperate with the administration in curbing drug abuse and unlawful activities.
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