Gujjars persuaded to avoid areas close to J-K border

DHARAMSALA, MARCH 22: A high-level meeting was held on Sunday under the presidentship of Himachal Pradesh Industries Minister Kishori Lal...

DHARAMSALA, MARCH 22: A high-level meeting was held on Sunday under the presidentship of Himachal Pradesh Industries Minister Kishori Lal, in Chamba rest house, at Pathankot. The meeting was convened to apprise the Gujjar community about the need to suspend the permits temporarily, particularly for the Tissa and Bhandal areas of the district, because of the increasing movement of the terrorists in the region, the Minister told media persons later.

The minister said the Gujjars were persuaded to avoid frequenting the areas close to Jammu and Kashmir border for their own safety and also help the security forces to deal with the problem of militancy in the area. He recalled the killings of innocent Hindus at Sapacholu and Kalaban-Satrundi areas last year. He said gujjars were urged to go to some other areas with number of cattle marked on the permits. He said that no extra cattle would be allowed to entered the state territory.

The Minister said about 50 Gujjar representatives were present in the meeting. Among those who attended the meeting were SP, DC, Conservator of Forests and DIG, Police range, Dharamshala, I.D. Bhandari were also present in the meeting.

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The Gujjar representatives are understood to have agreed to abide by the instructions and guidelines decided, but have reportedly emphasised on the need for alternative areas for grazing of their animals.

The DIG said another meeting consisting of DC, SP, and conservators would be held next Saturday at Pathankot. He said “We expecting reasonable consensus which is acceptable to all after further interaction with the Gujjars and locals so that the security forces are given free hand in dealing with the militants’ attempts to disturb the peace in the region.” Appreciating the commendable job done by the forces deployed in the border belt and high altitude, he said the forces had successfully thwarted the efforts of the militants and their bid to infiltrate the well-guarded 167.5 km long border right from Kihari to Tissa.

The DIG said that abundant precautions had been taken for the approaching summer and morale of the forces was high. The security personnel who were previously unfamiliar to the topography and population of the area, were now well acquainted.

He said the Chamba authorities are also considering holding similar meetings with gaddis at the local levels. He said setting up of village defence committees had proved very beneficial.

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Expressing his satisfaction, Bhandari said that till date no Himachali had joined these outfits because of their commitment to the nation.