Demolition of ‘Kothas’ Triggers Tension in Gujjar community at Pahalgam

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag,17 Nov: The demolition of Kothas (temporary houses) by government authorities here in Mamal area of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag District has triggered tension among Gujjar Bakerwal community.

The Authorities have started demolishment drive at Mamal Pahalgam area,a  few days back, and pulled down temporary Kaccha houses of Gujjar and Bakarwal tribes. District administration Anantnag claims that they had retrieved 700 kannals of land that was encroached by encroachers in Mamal area of Pahalgam.

Gujjars and Barkarwals ,who stay in Kashmir for six months in the summer season,of which  some families have already migrated to  Jammu areas leaving behind their temporary structures here, and some families who have not migrated  yet are staying in various places in Anantnag District.

Talking to Arising State, district President Gujjar Bakerwal youth welfare conference Anantnag ,Mansoor Ahmad Koswal said that the district administration Anantnag is oppressing our Gujjar and Bakerwal community. ”The administration has not only demolished our kothas  in Mamal area, but also at Lidru and Aru area of Pahalgam.” Koswal said .If the government is claiming that Gujjar Bakerwal people are nationalist ,then why on the other side  the government  has made us homeless,” questioned Koswal .He further said that we pleaded before District administration Anantnag to stop the demolition however, our pleas only fell on deaf ears.

Koswal condemned the act of Anantnag Administration Authorities by which  several families  have gone homeless   and requested  the LG Administration to look into the matter.

However, Mohd Amin Koswal, a resident of Mamal area said that they are not against the forest department ,who are running this demolition drive .”We are cooperating with them, but the government is oppressing our community by using force . Our community has no other alternative land except forest land , by making us homeless government is pressing  us to come on streets”,Koswal added.

Koswal requested the LG administration to look into the matter ,and help the displaced people at this hour of time .