Gujjars demand special census for nomadic tribes of J-K

JAMMU - Demanding a special census for lakhs of nomadic and semi-nomadic of Jammu and Kashmir, the Gujjar- Bakerwals today expressed distress over the exclusion of nomads during house listing and preparation of National Population Register in first phase held between June and September 2010.

In an appeal to the Union Government sent through Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, the community urged for a correct enumeration of their tribe in second and last phase of census 2011 under Nomadic or “Shelter less category”.r Javaid Rahi, Secretary of the Foundation, said: “We have demanded a special census of around six lakh nomadic, semi nomadic and shelter less Gujjars. Bakerwals and other migratory communities who are presently under migration to plane and warmer areas of State.”

He suggested that Registrar General of India (RGI) should hold exclusive mapping to list the movement of nomads in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a new column in registration forms of census by introducing “Nomadic Category” or “Shelter less category”.

He said last year during process of house listing lakhs of nomadic Gujjars-Bakerwals were not counted as they were under seasonal migration to upper reaches of Western Himalayas.

“We appeal to the Prime Minister’s office to intervene and direct RGI to conduct special census of Gujjar Bakerwal nomads in Jammu and Kashmir and enter them in National Population Register (NPR) under a special and exclusive programme,” he added .

Dr. Rahi also appealed mobile school teachers and local community member to co-operate with census officials and get themselves enumerated as ST community with Gojri as their mother tongue.

Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India said the second phase of Census would start from March 9 all over the country, including Jammu and Kashmir. By Tahir Nadeem Khan (ANI)