BJP's ST Morcha urges PM to announce package for J&K Gujjars

Jammu, Nov 3: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on November 7, the Schedule Tribe (ST) Morcha of BJP on Tuesday, Nov 3 urged him to announce a special package for the "ignored" Gujjar and Bakerwal community in the state.

"We urge the Prime Minister to announce a special package for the ignored Gujjar and Bakerwal community of Jammu and Kashmir," senior BJP leader and national executive member of the ST Morcha, Ishfaq-ur-Rehman Poswal said.

"In real sense, the long ignored Gujjar Bakerwal community badly needs separate financial package for their development and welfare as these people are even ignored of basic facilities like potable water, roads, power and health care," Poswal wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister, Seeking Modi's attention attention towards the plight of tribal people in the state, he said, "I hope the PM will take interest in addressing the issues of these people who have been ignored by previous governments."

"A large number of Gujjar and Bakerwals are eager to participate in the Prime Minister's rally at Srinagar on November 7. They are hopeful that Modi ji will announce a package for their welfare and development during his upcoming visit," Poswal added.

The tribals living in far off areas of Jammu and Kashmir need special attention by "your (Modi's) government" as they have been "victimised" for long by the successive governments on all fronts and especially development, the BJP leader said.

PTI