Srinagar, May 31: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) General Secretary Organisation Mehboob Beg Monday expressed concern over the continued harassment of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community.
In a statement issued here, Beg said, “It is a matter of grave concern that we are turning our own people out and rendering them homeless, such a harassment cannot continue.”
He said that the PDP and its President Mehbooba Mufti have always stood by the community and safeguarded their rightful place and dignity.
“While the community has always set the standards for peaceful cohabitation, no community or set of people deserve to be rendered homeless, much-less by its own government. The right to life and the right to live with dignity are enshrined in the constitution and any depravation of the basic guarantees under the constitution must be seriously looked into,” Beg said.
He said that the government must immediately look into the Application of the Forest Act, 2006 which could solidify the position of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community and grant them the rights to their land.
“The community must be given all the benefits under The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 as well as The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. These enabling legislations have been enacted with a view to help and aid such communities. The parliament in all its wisdom has deemed it necessary to grant legal cover to safeguard the best interests of such communities to enable them to lead prosperous lives. While the intent of the parliament is amply clear and seeks to provide all necessary legal aid to the Gujjar-Bakerwal community, the steps initiated in J&K are to the contrary. I hope that these atrocities are stopped forth-with and the community gets its due. I urge the government to look into the issue on a priority basis and fortify the community’s position rather than render them homeless,” Beg said.