SRINAGAR: Facing hardship on all fronts, the nomadic Gujjar – Bakerwal tribes have issued an appeal to Jammuties to uphold age-old traditions tolerance towards nomads and their animals.

In a programme organised by Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation to discuss ‘tribal seasonal migration issue’ they said nomads are already in trouble due to tremendous pressures and they are looking for help from all quarters purely on humanitarian grounds, to run their livelihood.

The appeal was issued by the community leaders after media reports appeared with regard to an incident wherein nine persons, including a woman and an elderly man, were injured in a mob attack on nomads.

‘We appeal residents of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Riasi and Udhampur districts to be soft with nomadic tribes who are under migration towards upper reaches along with animals,” the speakers said. “They need a support from all community, especially from law enforcement agencies.

The Gujjars and Bakerwals nomadic tribes have begun their bi-annual seasonal migration towards upper reaches of Shivalik, Pirpanjal and Trikuta Hills of north western Himalayas on schedule dates due to rise in the day temperature in plane areas of Jammu and the incident occurred to a Bakerwal family migrating from Riasi to pasture of Kashmir Valley.

“Due to restriction in Tribal movement in several areas, the Gujjars-Bakerwals are already facing extreme adversities, toughest lifestyle, and lack of economic freedom owing to deficiency of resources so they (Tribal) deserve special attention of State and Central Governments,” the speakers said.

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