Poonch (Jammu), June 26: Union Defence Minister George Fernandes today agreed to take up with the Centre the matter of raising Gujjar and Bakerwal (nomadic tribe) battalion to tackle terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
"I will take up the issue of raising of Gujjar and Bakerwal battalion in Rajouri and Poonch with Centre soon,” Fernandes told a delegation of panches, sarpanches and ex-servicemen of Gujjar and Bakerwal community at Mendhar.


Besides, other issues to be discussed at the central level pertaining to border people includes, compensation of army use land, return of migrants to their homes and hearths on Line of Control (LoC), compensation to farmers and relaxation in age and qualification of Gujjar and Bakerwal youth in army services.

The people of the border areas in Mendhar apprised the minister about their problems.

Accompanied by General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 corps, T P S Brar, Fernandes visited various forward posts and in-depth operation areas to review ongoing operations against militants.

Bureau Report