Bandipora, Nov 29: The Gujjar Welfare Forum today said that thousands of people living in various hamlets of this district were suffering immensely due to the lack of basic amenities.
Addressing a news conference, the newly framed Forum accused the successive governments of turning blind eye towards the peoples’ grievances and urged the chief minister, Omar Abdullah to initiate slew of measures for the all round development of the neglected areas. 
“The residents of Haptnar, Ketsan, Bonyar, Khudgumanglu, Doban, Haptnar, Muqam Quil, Athwaoo, Chandagi, Vewan, Tanghat, Herpora, Panar, Kawtari, Bhutoo, Dardpora, Shamthan, Kudar, Serindar, Gabipathri, Sumlar, Bapora, Chek, Gujjrapati Aragam and Chittibande are suffering due to the lack of power supply, proper road connectivity and healthcare,” the Forum member said.
“Though the government has established small heath centers in the area, but they have deficient staff and lack basic medicines,” the Forum member Muhammad Ayub Gujjar of Dardpora told Greater Kashmir. “We have no other alternative other than to walk hundreds of Kilometer to reach Bandipora to get our patients examined in the hospital,” he added
“We have formed GWF comprising members from all the Gujjar villages to highlight their pathetic condition,” GWF, President Shabnum Khan said adding “We have been forced to live without proper healthcare facility, road connectivity, power and education.”
Referring to the recent death of pregnant woman in hospital, another Forum member, Muhammad Qutab Gujjar said “hundreds of pregnant women died on way to the hospital as the health centres lacked basic health care facilities.”
Alleging step motherly treatment of the government towards the residents of the area, GWF members said “Crores of rupees are being released by the Centre and State government for the upliftment of the Gujjar community, which is not being utilized properly.”
“We appeal to the chief minister, Omar Abdullah to intervene into the matter,” Shabnum said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST