Zulfkar meets Rajnath; dicusses issues of tribals, border dwellers

JAMMU : In the backdrop of heated politics in Jammu on government’s approach to dealing with tribals communities in the state, Minister for Tribal Affairs Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at New Delhi on Friday.

The past couple of months have seen protests and demonstrations staged, one after another, in otherwise peaceful Jammu, with allegations against the tribals of changing the demography of the region. These issues were further highlighted in the wake of the gruesome rape-and-murder of a minor tribal girl in Kathua, following which protest rallies in support of accused, allegedly supported by some cabinet ministers as locals in the region have alleged harassment of a particular community by the investigation agency- Crime Branch.

It may also be mentioned here that some controversial minutes of review meeting of Tribal Affairs Department had surfaced wherein it was mentioned that ‘Tribals shall not be disturbed/dislocated from the forest and state land they had occupied’, ‘IGP and police will not provide protection to those who would go to get the state and forest lands encroached vacated’ and ‘the tribal people will be allowed to take their animals, including bovine, from one place to another without any check.’

These minutes, which added fuel to the fire of resentment against the tribals, were then rejected by both the coalition partners as they claimed it to be a mischief of an official, later withdrawn.
In this backdrop, the meeting of Tribal Affairs Minister- the face of ruling PDP in Jammu region- with union home minister assumes great significance.

Meanwhile, an official spokesperson informed that the Minister during his discussion highlighted the plight of border and LoC residents and said that border and LoC residents of J&K are worst sufferers of the tension between the two countries.

“We need permanent rehabilitation policy for border migrants”, Minister demanded adding that people living on borders are poor and they cannot afford expenses after migration to other areas.

Demanding inclusion of Gojri Language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India, Minister said that State Government has already recommended the same to Government of India in 2012.
Giving overall scenario of the community and its culture, Minister said among the total Tribal Population of 14,93,299 in J&K, most of the people speak Gojri.

The Minister said the Gujjar Bakerwal people are still educationally and economically backward but having a rich cultural heritage which needs to be preserved. “Inclusion of Gojri in 8th Schedule is long pending demand and we hope Centre will fulfil the same now”, he added.

Pressing for creation of Gujjar Regiment, Minister said that Gujjar Regiment needs to be created in Army by recruiting un-employed youths of tribals. He said that Gujjar youths mostly residing in hilly and border areas are suitable for recruiting in Army for the courage they have displayed during the period of turmoil in J&K.

He also suggested special recruitment drive for tribals in Central Security Forces to tackle the un-employment problem.

Demanding development of tribal areas under Sadbhavana scheme, Minister brought into the notice of Home Minister that though the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has taken various initiatives for the upliftment of Scheduled Tribe community in the state yet due to limited resources, the desired results have not been achieved so far. He demanded development of tribal areas under Sadbhavana scheme by providing facilities like Drinking water, community bathrooms, community halls, Solar lights.

Highlighting the road conditions in tribal areas, Minister said that tribal areas which are mostly hilly and far flung have remained worst hit during the prevailing turmoil in Jammu & Kashmir and these areas are still underdeveloped in terms of road connectivity and other developmental projects.

He requested for funds under Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) for construction of roads and other facilities in these areas.

Union Home Minister listened patiently to every demand of the Minister and assured him all possible help from Government of India.