Gujjars for compact 'tribal policy' for J-K

Founder of the foundation and well-known researcher of the Gujjar community Javaid Rahi, in his address, stressed that tribal communities must be developed without touching their culture, ethnicity and migratory ways of life.

"The government should formulate a compact tribal policy to address issues of nomads as only a well-defined policy can pave way for their overall development," Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation speakers said at a function here.

Rahi said their overall growth is not possible without any plan.

Lauding the efforts of the state government for establishing first-ever tribal ministry, he said the tribal communities must be treated at par with the tribal of other states of the country. Meanwhile, prominent Gujjar leader and intellectual Shamsher Hakla appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sanction special economical package for the welfare and upliftment of the nomad Gujjar and Bakerwal community of the state.

"Nomadic Gujjar and Bakerwals are backward in comparison to the developed communities. They are homeless and landless wondering in the open. They mostly reside in far-flung, hilly mountainous areas near forests and have no access to basic amenities," Hakla said in a separate statement.

He demanded a special recruitment drive in central and state armed forces for the youth of the community keeping in view their political, social, economical and educational backwardness.