Ubeer Naqushbandi
SRINAGAR
Terming Monday’s eviction drive by District Administration Jammu in Bari Brahmana a “plan of RSS” to deliberately evict Gujjar population from Jammu region, the Gujjar Bakerwal Students Union Tuesday protested against the move.
The drive turned ugly yesterday when one person identified as Yaqoob Gujjar was killed and while another one, Latief Gujjar, got injured in police action.
Talking to Kashmir Life, President of Gujjar and Bakerwal Students Association, Zahid Parvaiz said that district administration jointly with JDA (Jammu Development Association) and police yesterday launched an eviction drive in which their hutments were raised to the ground using bulldozers and set on fire. In the blaze their cattle including buffaloes were burnt alive.
He alleged that it is not for the first time that the Gujjar population has suffered at the hands of RSS. “Similar kind of treatment was meted out to them in Gool Gujral and Chenani. We are being treated as animals,” he said.
Recalling an incident of a pregnant Gujjar woman, Zahid said, Razia Begum was even denied delivery in the labour room at Kathua Hospital. “These things can’t be tolerated.”
Ever since the BJP has come to power, he said, they have been made to suffer. “We warn the state government that if such tactics continue, then 25 lakh Gujjar population will come on roads in protest,” he said.
Later, protesters burnt effigy of District Administration Jammu. The protestors shouted slogans of “Saaza do Saaza do, Qatiloun ko Sazaa do”, “Intizamia Hosh mein aao…”
