Gujjars accuse NC-led govt, PDP of ignoring community

A Gujjar organisation today accused the National Conference led Jammu and Kashmir government and opposition PDP of exploiting the community as vote bank and threatened to launch a protest in this connection.
"We criticise the NC led coalition government as well as the opposition PDP for the plight of Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities of the state," Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha state president, Eshfaq-Ur-Rehman Poswal told reporters here.
The organisation, through campaign and protests, would inform people about the ignorance of the community by the political outfits, Poswal said.
A 48-hour hunger strike would be held at Mendhar in Poonch district from January 15, he said, and asked youths to join the movement.

"NC has ruled the state for most of the time either on its own or in coalition with one party or the other. But except promises, it has done nothing for the welfare of these communities," he said.
Many funds have been stalled by the Central government due to poor implementation of schemes meant for the Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities, he said.
Poswal said that recently he called on Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and apprised him about the problems of these communities like poor implementation of schemes and misutilisation of funds.
"Rahul admitted the problems but so far the state government led by Omar Abdullah has taken no step, which is unfortunate," he said.