DGP admits fear psychosis, asks cops to ensure safe passage, offer needed assistance to nomads

‘We protect animals like our kids, rakshaks needn’t worry’, say Gujjars

COW VIGILANTISM
JAMMU: Admitting that 'cow vigilantes' have created a situation of fear psychosis, Director General of Police SP Vaid has taken a tall order by asking all ranks Police across the region that another incident like Reasi -attack on migrating nomad family -shall not be tolerated.
In a communiqué to the Deputy Inspector Generals of four Police Ranges and District Superintendents of Police in all ten districts of Jammu region, the DGP has asked them "no harassment is caused and rather they should render all necessary assistance to nomads"
The DGP issued strict and humane instructions in wake of attack on a migrating nomad family by cow vigilantes in Reasi district. In his communiqué, DGP Vaid said, "The movement of Bakerwals and other nomads has started taking place from plains to hills for their summer pastures. An incident of roughing up of these Bakerwals by so called cow vigilantes at Zero Morh Talwara Reasi district has taken place on 22-04-2017 in which some Bakerwals were also injured and a case FIR stands registered at Police Station Talwara. It has created fear psychosis among these nomads which is likely to be exploited by vested interests and has potential of vitiating atmosphere in Jammu region.
The communication further said: "All district SPs are directed to ensure smooth passage of these nomads in their respective districts for their summer pastures. No incident like that of Reasi should happen. Necessary directions need to be passed on to all SHOs to ensure that no harassment is caused and rather they should render all necessary assistance to nomads.
"Range DIGs shall personally monitor implementation of these instructions on ground and take daily feedback from district SPs".
Meanwhile, the Gujjar community today said they protect their animals like kids so "the cow protectors need not worry", days after members of a nomadic family were beaten up as some people mistook them for cow smugglers in Reasi.
In a programme organised here to discuss 'tribal seasonal migration issue', Javaid Rahi, a noted tribal researcher said, "since centuries together, we the Gujjars- protect our animals like our kids so the cow protectors must need not to worry".
Members of the nomadic Gujjar-Bakerwal tribes issued a joint appeal to the people of Jammu and adjoining districts to uphold the age-old traditions and tolerance towards nomads and their animals.
The appeal was issued by community leaders after two members of a nomadic family were beaten up by a group of people who mistook them for cow smugglers in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Thursday.
"We appeal residents of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Udhampur districts to be soft with nomadic tribes who are under migration towards upper reaches along with animals," Rahi said.