`Modi has rekindled hopes among Gujjars in J&K`

Jammu: Expressing gratitude to BJP`s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi for his concerns for Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities in Jammu & Kashmir, Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha today said Modi has rekindled a new hope among them.

"Modi has rekindled a new hope among Gujjars and Bakkerwals that their long-pending problems would be solved very soon," Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha (BGM) president Eshfaq- ur-Rehman Poswal said in a statement here. He said the communities had approached all political parties urging them to address their problems. Now they have a lot of hopes from the BJP as it has raised the issues during its `Lalkar Rally` here on December 1. "We extend heartiest gratitude to Modi and the BJP for showing extreme concern towards the issues of Gujjars and Bakkerwals," the BGM president said. The women of the state have also got new hopes from the BJP for their rights, he said, adding that "it should not be an election rhetoric only". The BGM has been fighting for these downtrodden and backward communities since long, but so far except assurances nothing has been done to address their problems. "We met the President, Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi, Union Home Minister, J&K Governor, Union Health Minister and various other leaders and highlighted their problems, but except assurances and promises no step has so far been taken to mitigate their sufferings," he said. Many areas dominated by members of these communities are still deprived of basic amenities like water, power and road connectivity. "The children have no access to education," he said, alleging that "funds meant for the welfare of these communities under the Tribal Sub Plan and other schemes are being grossly mis-utilised".