By News Agency of Kashmir,
Srinagar : At least 150 Gujjars were detained today when they defied prohibitory orders at historic Sher-e-Kashmir Park here this afternoon .Hundreds of Gujjars from different part of the valley assembled here and tried to take out a procession demanding Political Reservation for the Community in the both houses of State legislature.
The procession started from Press enclave Partap Park to Raj Bhawan to submit a memorandum to Governor, here this afternoon. As they reached Sher-e Kashmir Park near Radio Kashmir Srinagar, police swung into action and stopped them. But, when they refused to disperse, the police resorted to baton-charge. Later, about 150 processionists were taken into custody and lodged in Maisuma and other nearby Police Station in Srinagar City. In police action about 28 Gujjars sustain injuries, two of them serious.
Prior to this addressing the protesters the State President of Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha Ch.Ashfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal said “We were given tribal status way back in 1991 after a long-drawn struggle by civil activists and community leaders but we are waiting for political reservation till date. He added that Governor should issue an ordinance in this regard without any further delay adding that the community has been the worst sufferers of militancy in the last 17 years, government must accommodate us.
He said that we the Gujjars of State launched a political struggle for reservation of seats in the Assembly and Gujjars of 11 States of India are at our back. Being Tribal we deserve Political representation, why the Government denying? He said Constitution, of India provides that the tribals are entitled to reservation proportionate to their population of a State. He demanded that a minimum of 18 Assembly segments should be reserved for the STs in the present 87-member Assembly.
The Gujjars, among other things, were demanding Minority Status for Gujjars in the state, raising of Gujjar Regiment in the Indian Army, allotment of land to rehabilitate nomadic Gujjars, including of Gojri in 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, increase of seats for them in professional colleges and suitable market facilities for livestock and milk productions.
Asfaq State President of Akhil Bharatiya Gujjar Maha Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir chapter said Gujjars from Kulgam, Anantnag, Uri, Baramulla and Kupwara were prevented by the authorities to participate in the procession.
“This was our first attempt but will intensify our struggle till our rights are granted”, he said, adding “Gujjars of J&K were granted Scheduled Tribe status in 1991 but we are living in a pathetic condition in the State”.