Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Friday condemned the use of brutal force by the administration against Gujjar-Bakarwal community during an eviction drive in the Zampahri-Shopian inflicting severe injuries to many and said the measure is a continuing case of oppressing tribals across J&K.
Denouncing the use of brute force against the tribal community during an eviction drive by the forest department at upper reaches of Shopian district, Party’s Senior leader and state secretary Sakina Itoo, District President Kulgam Abdul Majeed Bhat Larmi, and Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar in a joint statement have termed the act brutal and incongruous with constitutional norms.
The mammoth of intimidation, and violence, which was let loose in Jammu previously, the leaders said, has reached Kashmir now to haunt the indomitable and peace loving tribals. Voicing against the cruelty meted out to the poor tribal families, the leaders stated that it is under a well hatched plan that these peace loving people are subjected to violence and intimidation and the recurrence of such acts explains it all.
“The unwise decision of dislodging them from their niches will affect their lives in numerous ways besides that the dimwitted measure will impact the scientific conservation of forest resources as well. We in our party value conservation but not at the cost of marginalized tribal or forest dwelling communities. There ought to be a balanced approach to protect the people and the forests,” they said.

KR Desk