Gujjar, Bakerwal youth take out protest march in Nowshera

Rajouri, Aug 2: Youth from Gujjar and Bakerwal community took out a protest march in Nowshera on Wednesday opposing proposed amendments in ST reservations in Jammu and Kashmir.

A bill for this amendment has already been moved in LokSabha by Government. Similar protests were held in parts of Rajouri and Poonch districts in recent past while on Wednesday, Gujjar and Bakerwal youth took out protest rally that started from Hanjana bridge of Nowshera and culminated in Additional Deputy Commissioner office.

Raising slogans against the proposed move, the protesters said that inclusion of more castes in ST reservations of Jammu and Kashmir is not acceptable to Gujjar and Bakerwal community and they will resist this move in a peaceful manner and under the ambit of law. The protesters appealed Government to shun this proposed move and to keep ST reservation for Gujjars and Bakerwals intact. Another similar protest rally was taken out in Mahore sub division of Reasi district in which Gujjar and Bakerwal youth from the area took part.

Different Gujjar and Bakerwalorganisations held a joint meeting at Dak Bungalow Rajouri on Wednesday in which Former Legislators, DDC members, BDC Chairmen and activists were present.