Former Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, on Monday accused the central government of expelling Muslim nomads, Gujjars and Bakerwals, from their homes with the intention of provoking an extreme reaction from this community and settle outsiders here. .
Mufti made the comments after visiting Anantnag in southern Kashmir, where the administration has been issuing eviction notices for the past few weeks and demolished dozens of structures. He met the families of those whose houses were demolished.
The administration says it was an anti-invasion campaign aimed at reclaiming state forests and lands.
Mufti said that Gujjars and Bakerwals are the protectors of the forests and their ancestors have lived here for hundreds of years.
“The central government has started an illegal process whereby our people who live here – nomads, Gujjars and Bakerwals – whose ancestors have lived here are being evicted. They finished our domicile law and they want to bring people here from all over the country, but they want to drive the locals out of here, ”Mufti said.
Tribal activists say that some of the structures the administration was demolishing are temporary (Kothas) that nomads use during their annual migration in summers and winters along with their livestock. For half the year, these structures, made of mud and wood and partially underground, remain empty until the nomads return.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Kuldeep Krishan Sidha said they have launched the campaign to eliminate the illegal invaders and that the unit is being supervised by the high court.
“Whatever illegal invasion we saw on paper, we have eliminated it. No nomads were affected. We didn’t take down any Kotha. This action has affected those who have built concrete structures in forest areas, ”he said.
Also read: Gupkar alliance wants to continue corruption at J&K, says RS Prasad, seeks explanation from Congress
Mufti said that this was not only happening in Kashmir, but even in the Bathindi, Sujwa and Chatta areas of Jammu.
“Wherever there is a Muslim population or Gujjars and Bakerwals, who are the true protectors of these forests, they are being evicted. Where will they and their children go in these winters? “, Said.
Mufti questioned whether the central government’s intention was to hand over the land to its capitalist friends. “They already gave 24,000 kanal lands to the industries, that land is forest land that is our resource and now they are evicting them (nomads),” he said.
Also read: Gupkar Alliance, an exploitative team formed to seize power: BJP
“Who do you want to give our land, air, water and beautiful forests to? They want to give everything to their great capitalist friends who give them funds; Railways, Air-India, now, do you want to put the J&K land up for sale too? “, Said.
He said that Gujjars and Bakerwals are very loyal and peace loving people. “I think the central government is deliberately expelling them. They have never participated in or opted for violence. They have always opted for peace but I think they are forcibly evicting them to force an extreme reaction, “he alleged.
He warned the government of the consequences if it did not stop. “I want to tell the central government, which is controlling the administration here, that these nomads must not be disturbed, otherwise you will have to face its dangerous consequences,” he said.
.
