Tribal leaders threaten to launch mass agitation in state

Accusing the Jammu and Kashmir government of ignoring the plight of Tribal communities in the state, various leaders belonging to the community today threatened to launch a mass agitation in the state if the government failed to release funds under 'Tribal Sub-Plan' during the current financial year.
Senior Gujjar leader and MLA Kangan, Mian Altaf Ahmed, MLA Kargil Asgar Ali Karbalai and MLA Surankote Choudhary Mohd Akram, have urged the state government to ensure proper implementation of all developmental and welfare schemes of the Tribal community.
"Till date, no funds have been released under Tribal Sub-Plan. Not a single work is being done under this plan. In Kashmir, winter season is on its peak due to which developmental works cannot be done till the end of January next," they said while addressing a press conference here today.

They said that if the central government delayed in releasing the funds, the state government should release funds so that the works could be done.
"Funds for releasing subsidy component are being provided by Central Government through the State Government under Special Central Assistance(SCA) to Special Component Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for SCs and STs," they said.
They said that the government has failed to repair the infrastructure meant for the community that was damaged in last year's floods.
Alleging that the nomad Gujjars and Bakerwals who proceed on their seasonal migration to the upper reaches were being harassed by the authorities, they demanded that the government ensure the safe and secure migration and proper security for the nomads.