Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 3: Enraged over the non-inclusion of Koli community in the list of Scheduled Tribes despite repeated assurances, dozens of Panther Party workers today held a massive demonstration here at Exhibition Ground.
The Panthers activists led by Harshdev Singh, chairman JKNPP and former Minister and Yashpal Kundal, State president, Young Panthers, raised slogans against BJP and Central Government for ignoring the said community despite their legitimate claims for inclusion in the said category.
Speaking on the occasion, Harsh said that BJP-PDP had promised the grant of ST Status to Paharies and Kolis during their election campaigns and had subsequently incorporated the same in the Agenda of Alliance. He however regretted that no initiative was taken thereafter by any of the parties to rake up the issue during the two successive sessions of the Legislative Assembly.
He said that the Koli community largely inhabit District Udhampur, district Kathua, district Doda and district Ramban, with all the elected representatives belonging to BJP from the said areas. He however regretted that not a single MLA of the said area promoted their cause in the Assembly or outside.
Justifying the demand of Kolis for inclusion in ST category, Harsh said that Koli and Sippis belong to the same family having same culture, occupation, language, economic and social status and residing in hilly area having negligible land ownership and are dependent upon rearing of animals. He said that whereas Sippis were included in ST category, the Kolis were ignored inadvertently which needed to be rectified.
Urging upon the Governor to take notice of the genuine grievance of the Koli community, JKNPP chairman sought initiation of appropriated steps for inclusion of the Kolis class in ST category.
Yash Paul Kundal while speaking on the occasion said that JKNPP shall continue to fight for the cause of the poor, downtrodden and deprived sections of society. He sought immediate settlement of the issue of Koli’s failing which Panthers Party would intensify its agitation for the rights.
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