Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 20: A meeting of the members of Gujjar and Bakerwal community was held in Poonch today under the leadership of prominent Gujjar leader and intellectual, Shamsher Hakla Poonchi in which prevailing situation in the State was discussed threadbare.
The meeting, while strongly condemning the unprovoked firing from across the border demanded that the people who have been affected by the cross border firing be given adequate compensation.
The meeting also demanded relief for the border people whose crops and other property was damaged in shelling.
Addressing the meeting Hakla said that Gujjars are nationalist people by core and have always proved their patriotism. They worked shoulder to shoulder with army on borders to defeat the nefarious designs of enemy, he added.
He said the Gujjars and Bakerwals whose population in the State is about 35 lakh are spread in all the three regions of J&K and their needs, culture, language and traditions are different than other communities. He demanded that their problems be settled on priority basis.
Hakla while addressing the meeting also demanded that the Article 35-A which gives a unique position in the Indian Constitution in this border State should not be removed as it will lead to chaos and confusion. He warned that the Gujjars and Bakerwals will protest in case this Article was touched.
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