Sheep, goats head to capital, scuffle at Minister's residence

JAMMU: The plush Gandhi Nagar area of Jammu which houses state's top political and business elites today saw a unique gathering outside the official residence of Forest Minister Chowdhary Lal Singh -a herd of sheep and goats brought along by Gujjars to protest their eviction.
A large number of people belonging to the Gujjar community today held protest outside Lal Singh's residence against eviction of people, especially members of their tribe, from forest belts.
Led by Nazakat Khatana, people belonging of the nomadic tribe led sheeps and goats in front of the minister's house and blocked the road. The protesters demanded that the government allow all people in forest areas and not evict Gujjars from forest lands.
As the Gujjars protested with no response from Minister's residence, a contingent of Police from Gandhi Nagar Police station swooped down on the protesters. After a argument in which the leader of protesters said that their demand was not unconstitutional, the Police resorted to heavy cane charge and dragged them to forcibly stuff in nearby parked van.
As the protestors were removed and taken to the Gandhi Nagar Police Station, spills of blood were seen on the road outside the Minister's residence. Some cops covered with blood with newspapers. The road was later watered to remove blood.
Police have lodged an FIR under sections 323 and 341 and held at least five protestors in custody.
The government has fenced most of the forest lands to prevent encroachments and only Bakerwals, who have been issued identification cards, are being allowed to graze their cattle in forest areas.