Mohammad Waseem
On the 10th of August 2021, a group of Gujjar (tribal) people were crushed by Gadhi people (Hindu tribal) at Ladda-Dhar Ramban, Jammu Kashmir over a land conflict. Two injured were sent to the hospital where they were provided first aid and sent back home.
While talking to The Kashmiriyat over phone, Irshad Chaudhary, a tribal and student activist said, “A total of 40 acres of land was allotted to the Muslim tribals in the time of Maharaja Hari Singh for cultivation, but the Gadhi people (belonging to Hindu community) have been trying to grab the land and destroy the cultivation by leaving their cattle in the cultivated land for grazing.”
“Instead of putting the culprits behind the bars, the Chanderkoot police launched an FIR against the victims and put them behind bars. Later, they were released on bail,” said Chaudhary Shabir Ahmad
He also added that BDC Rajesh Kumar and Neeraj Chib (runs a private NGO), both were involved in creating the fuss between two sections. “They misled the people he said,” he said.
Bashir Ahmad, the victim’s uncle spoke to The Kashmiriyat and said, “This conflict is over a forest land between the Gadhi and the Gujjar community in Dhar Ladda Chanderkoot Ramban. On 10th August, a large group of Gadhi people (around 100) came and left their cattle in our cultivated land to destroy the crop.”
“We and a few of our women came forward to stop them and pelted stones at them, but they didn’t stop. They crossed the fencing illegally and rushed over us, where two of our people were injured and had to be taken to the hospital. They were sent back home after they were given first aid,” he added.
Bashir Ahmad also mentioned that almost all the higher authorities of the district were in the favour of the Gadhi people and won’t listen to them. “Even the army and SOG while patrolling the area stand by their side and let them destroy our crops and the grazing land,” said Bashir Ahmad.
The Kashmiriyat tried reaching the concerned Police Station but they did not pick our calls.