Gujjars in J-K appeal for calm

SRINAGAR: Amid reports of migration of Muslim Gujjar families from Jammu and Kashmir's Samba and Kathua districts following alleged attacks, leaders of the community today appealed to people to maintain calm and help in restoration of peace in the state.
"We appeal the community residing in Jammu region not to migrate from their ancestral land and coordinate with other communities and the administration in restoring peace," Javaid Rahi, national secretary of Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, an organisation working for uplift of Gujjars, said in a statement here.

According to reports, over 250 Gujjars families moved to safer places in the wake of threats and attacks on them in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.

"Gujjars are integral part of the multi-ethnic structure of Jammu region and have stood by the majority community for centuries together besides proving its credentials in testing times. Therefore they should rise up to the occasion and contribute towards the integrity of the region," Rahi said.

According to him, Gujjar leaders of 11 states have expressed solidarity with the community in Jammu and Kashmir and have appealed to the Hindus to provide adequate security to them.