Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Aug, 27
To share their joy and happiness on the historic development of abrogation of Article 370 and reconstitution of the State, a deputation of prominent members of Scheduled Tribe (ST) community led by Sarpanch Hafiz Choudhary called on former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta at Jammu on Tuesday.
During their interaction with Kavinder Gupta, these prominent citizens hailing from Bhatindi, Sunjawan and Raika areas of Gandhi Nagar Assembly Constituency, said that people of the State, irrespective of their faith, caste, creed or color, are celebrating the abrogation of Article 370 and that only a handful of persons are feeling uncomfortable as their days of monopoly and exploitation will be over now and that the State would march towards real development, progress and prosperity. They pledged to support BJP and policies and programmes being carved by Narendra Modi government for Jammu Kashmir.
Kavinder Gupta told them that even STs suffered during the successive governments in the State and at the centre which were run by NC and Congress and that the sole agenda of these parties had been to take care of the interests of vested elements. He said that now the time has changed and the abrogation of Article 370 would prove to be beneficial for lakhs of Gujjars and Bakerwals of the state as well.
There is a large population of STs among Muslims in the State but unfortunately the Kashmir-centric ruling parties only concentrated on Muslims of Valley only and STs were second class citizens for them.
Kavinder Gupta said that the days of miseries and problems of STs will now be over and that each one of them would be in a position to avail the benefits of welfare schemes and development projects under new UT.
Prominent members of the deputation included Khadim Hussain, Nait Raika, Abdul Hanief, Hafeez Choudhary, Khursheed Ali, Aman Ulla, Jamat Ali and Alat Hussain.
