Gujjars hold protest against J-K forest minister

A large number of people belonging to the Gujjar community today held protest outside Jammu and Kashmir Forest Minister Chaudhary Lal Singh's residence here against eviction of people, especially members of their tribe, from forest belts.
Led by Nazakat Khanna, people belonging of the nomadic tribe led sheeps and goats in front of the minister's house and blocked the road.
The protesters demanded that the government allow all people in forest areas and not evict Gujjars from forest lands.
Police said that they had to resort to mild baton charge to disperse the protesters.
The government has fenced most of the forest lands to prevent encroachments and only Bakerwals, who have been issued identification cards, are being allowed to graze their cattle in forest areas.