By Reyaz Ahmed, NAK,
Uri (Baramulla) : Notwithstanding recommendations of state cabinet to center for Schedule Tribe (ST) to Paharis of Jammu and Kashmir, the tribal community comprising of 19 lack people of state are yet to be accorded the ST Status.
In order press their demand of Schedule Tribe (ST) status, Paharis in the entire state have started mobilizing the masses of the tribe in far-flung areas to appraise the community for lunching a state vide protest campaign.
Jammu and Kashmir Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum (J&KPCWF) Uri on Sunday held a protest rally a Challa Uri in which hundreds Pahari speaking people from nook and corner of the valley participated.
Speaking to the gathering, Chairman J&K PCWF Sharafat Ali Khan said, “State government has always neglected Paharis, despite several promises of according ST status to Paharis of the state nothing has been done so far.’
“Many recommendations have been made by state cabinet to center for our genuine claim to be in ST status. They (government) have been doing step motherly treatment with us,” added Sharafat.
Criticizing the coalition government led by Chief Minster Ghulam Nabi Azad, State level secretary Ghulam Qadir Lone said, “Injustice is being done to our community as we are being denied our recognition as they include us with Gujjars but we have repeatedly clarified that Paharis are the people with different language and culture.”
“If government fails to fulfill our demand, they would responsible for the ramifications of our valley vide protests,” thundered Lone.
“We have braved all the challenges of odd time in the state but one fails to understand whly we are being ignored at every level,” said tehsil President J&KPCWF Uri, Haji Feroz-ud-din Beigh.
A renowned poet and author Nazar Bonyari to media persons that issue of the reservations has been under consideration from past many years but only specific tribes have been accorded the deserved status.
“We have been betrayed by the governments so far but we hope that present leadership will do justices to us,” said Bonyari.
Chief spokes person Shabir Ahmed Beigh while terming the non inclusion of Paharis in ST category is an open discrimination being done to us.
“We will boycott forth coming Assembly elections if government tries befooling us again,” said Beigh.