Shutdown in Reasi, locals seek ‘fair’ probe into attack on Gujjar family

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Reasi, April 25

A shutdown was observed on Tuesday in Reasi and its adjoining villages against the ‘biased approach’ of the police against the 11 accused, allegedly involved in thrashing of a Gujjar family.

Though all the accused were given bail yesterday, but people are up in arms against the police. The call was given by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Vishva Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, transporters and trading organisations.

Demanding a “fair probe and revocation of FIR” against the 11 accused, protesters, led by Vikrant Mengi, burnt tyres across the town and shouted slogans against the police and the civil administration.

Meanwhile, extending support to the nomadic family, former minister and senior National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf today alleged that the Gujjar community was living under fear and face harassment since the formation of the BJP-PDP coalition government in J&K.

Altaf, himself a prominent Gujjar leader and represents Kangan constituency in Kashmir, condemned the recent incident at Reasi, wherein a nomadic family was thrashed by locals over allegation of bovine smuggling.

Addressing a press conference, Altaf claimed that the ruling government had ‘communalised’ the situation in the state, especially in the Jammu region.

“The tribal community, especially the Gujjars and Bakerwals, have been doing seasonal migration for centuries and they take their cattle along with them. Till now, there have been no attacks but the recent incident at Reasi has created fear among the community,” Altaf added.

He said: “The Muslim community is being harassed whenever there was any militancy incident in Jammu. This should stop.”

“For the last two years since the BJP came to power, the minority community living in Jammu, especially in Kathua and Samba district, is being harassed on a routine basis by the police and the right wing groups,” the NC leader alleged.

He asked CM Mehbooba Mufti to take action against those trying to create communal tension. “Nobody should be allowed to take law in their hands. It is very unfortunate that attempts are being made vitiate the peaceful environment of Jammu. Gujjars should not be taken for granted and their rights should be protected.” The NC has also demanded that the FIR lodged against the nomadic family should be revoked and the incident should be properly investigated.

QUOTES

For the last two years since the BJP came to power, the minority community living in Jammu, especially in Kathua and Samba district, is being harassed regularly by the police and the right wing groups. Nobody should be allowed to take law in their hands. It is very unfortunate that attempts are being made to vitiate the peaceful environment of Jammu. Gujjars should not be taken for granted and their rights should be protected. —Mian Altaf, National Conference Leader

We demand a neutral investigation. It will be possible only after the suspension of Reasi SSP Tahir Bhat and Deputy DSP Mujeeb-ur-Rehman. The police have implicated innocent persons in the FIR. —Raghav Kesar, ABVP State General Secretary