Gujjar, Bakerwal bodies allege harassment of nomad families in Rajouri

Rajouri, Jan 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar Bakerwal Youth Welfare Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Rights Coalition have expressed resentment over what they described as continued harassment of seven nomadic Bakerwal families in the Mehari Gujjran area of Rajouri district, warning of a full-scale campaign if the issue is not resolved immediately.

Both the organizations accused officials of the Forest Department of targeting the families for the past two years under the pretext of forest land protection. They said the action violates the Forest Rights Act of 2006, which recognises and safeguards the traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities.

The organizations said the alleged actions also amount to a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and livelihood. They warned that officers found violating these protections should be proceeded against under the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

The groups said it was deeply disturbing that the families continue to face pressure despite possessing valid documents including ration cards, voter identity cards and Aadhaar, all registered in the same area. They also referred to international commitments, stating that such actions contradict Sustainable Development Goal 10, which focuses on reducing inequality.

Local Sarpanch Shazia Tabasum Choudhary was cited as having raised the issue repeatedly over the past two years. According to the organizations, she approached multiple authorities to prevent eviction of the families but failed to secure relief. The groups said prolonged uncertainty has damaged livelihoods and disrupted the education of children belonging to the affected families.

They appealed to Minister Javed Ahmed Rana to intervene personally and take action against the officers involved. They also urged the Tribal Affairs Department to act as the nodal agency under the Forest Rights Act and recommend registration of an FIR against the erring officials.

The organisations criticized what they termed the silence of the local legislator and other political leaders, stating that elected representatives have a duty to protect vulnerable and landless communities. They said failure to act would force them to intensify their agitation and launch a full-scale campaign over the alleged harassment. [KNT]