Unhappy over attack on nomads, CM calls for upholding Jammu’s tradition of communal harmony

BIVEK MATHUR

JAMMU: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday expressed displeasure over the attack on nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwal community members in Reasi district with a deputation that called on her here in Jammu, sources said.
This afternoon, a deputation of Gujjar community led by former Vice Chancellor, Masud Choudhary met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here to put forth several demands with her, including the deteriorating law and order situation in Jammu, Kashmir, attack on nomads in Reasi, establishment of a Tribal Research Center in Jammu and adoption of a proper rehabilitation policy for the nomadic community.
In the meeting, the prominent Gujjar leaders especially highlighted the recent Reasi incident of April 20, when some elderly persons and females of the nomadic community were allegedly beaten up by alleged cow vigilantes in the town.
The Gujjar leaders told the CM that the nomadic community members, along with their animals have been travelling to Zanskar and Kashmir in search of pastures through Reasi route from the time of late Maharaja Hari Singh and that it was not a new practice.

They also discussed with the CM that the only source of livelihood for these nomads is their animals and if they will be targeted for carrying animals with them, it would create alienation among the community members.
So, they requested the CM to urgently take notice of such incidents and ensure that nothing of sort would be repeated in future.
However, the deputationists said that they respect sentiments of each and every person, irrespective of the religion and faith he practices but under the mask of religion, one should not take law into his hand.
"Rather, if someone has a grievance or issue, he should discuss it with the police or the administration to find a solution and not take law into his hand," the deputationists told the CM while seeking her attention towards the issue.
According to sources, the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti told the deputationists that she was also deeply hurt with such an attack in Jammu, as she told the Gujjars leaders that she had, on several occasions complimented people of Jammu Region for maintaining communal harmony even during provocations.
Meanwhile, she said that she had already directed the concerned to ensure that such incidents would not be repeated in future and hoped that people of Jammu will cooperate in maintaining peace in the region. Sources said that CM ensured that the law of the land shall prevail and no person shall be allowed to defy the law.
She also said that she had specifically directed that those involved in harassing a community or social group in the name of vigilantism be brought to justice.
The Gujjar leaders thanked the CM and also demanded that a Tribal Research Center for the educated youth of the community be established at Jammu and steps should be taken to permanently rehabilitate the nomads, to which CM replied positively.