STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Members of Gujjar Bakarwal Students Welfare Association protested against the alleged threat perception incited by Forest Minister Ch Lal Singh to throw out the community from Jammu region. The protesters led by Association’s Chief Patron Talib Hussain assembled at Exhibition Ground near Press Club Jammu. They were raising slogans against Lal Singh seeking his immediate dismissal from State Cabinet. “Lal Singh became our foe after his controversial statement on the Muslims of Jammu,” Talib said while talking with media persons. Citing provisions of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015 which came into force on 26th January 2016 ensuring forest and empowerment rights to SC/ST, he said that under this Act compelling any ST/SC family to leave house, village or residence constitute a serious crime but Ch Lal Singh taking law into his hands is forcing Gujjars and Bakerwals to leave Jammu Province,” he said.
“Lal Singh threatened nomads at Nagrota and Janipur to leave their homes and also ordered demolition of 10 houses of the community and Kachi Masjid on 8th July at Kott Mohalla Janipur without any prior notice,” he alleged adding that officials on his behest went to Khanpur Nagrota on 19th July and demolished nine houses without any notice. Seeking the intervention of Governor and Chief Minister, he sought immediate resignation of the Forest Minister to restore the confidence of the Gujjars and Bakerwals living in the region. He also cautioned Ch Lal Singh to desist from harassing the nomadic community or else an intense agitation shall be started to ensure that he will get exposed and deposed. “Jammu Police has also favoured Lal Singh by ignoring our demand of registration of FIR against him for passing 1947 remarks. We had also knocked the doors of the court to get justice. The court had asked IGP Jammu to file a report. However, Police has given clean chit to the Forest Minister for obvious reasons”, the Gujjar leaders said. Zulifkar Kasana State President GBSWA, Taj Momin, Shahid Ayub, and Choudhary Nasakat Khatana State President Gujjar Desh Youth Body also spoke on the occasion.
