Army lays foundation of hostel for Gujjar Bakerwal students in Jammu

Jammu, Jan 10 (UNI) The army today laid the foundation stone of a hostel for the children of nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal community at Talwara in newly-created Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Spread over nine canals of land, the Pir Panjal Hostel would be constructed by the Counter Insurgency Force (Uniform) of Rashtriya Rifles (RR) under 'Operation Sadbhavana'.

The two-storey fully furnished hostel will house 50 Gujjar and Bakerwal children from the remote areas of Reasi, Rajouri and Ramban districts.

''The hostel, after its completion, will be handed over to the civil administration. The staffing of the Hostel will also be done by the civil administration,'' an official spokesman informed.

GOC U-Force Major General P C Panjikar, at the stone-lying ceremony, said the Gujjar and Bakkarwal community would be benefitted from this hostel, since their children will have access to quality education.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Mr Sudhanshu Pandey and Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Mr Sanjeev Verma were also present on the occasion, besides army and civil officials.

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