Jammu Muslim Coordination Committee (JMCC) led by its president Ch. Mohd Yasmeen today held strong protest demonstration against the derogatory and threatening remarks of Forest Minister, Ch. Lal Singh for Gujjar community when a deputation of contractors dealing in cutting and transportation of old and fallen trees at various places in the State. The deputationist alleged that when they went to see the Forest Minister as per prior permission on May 18 to apprise the minister about the problems being faced by the contractors in the trade, the Minister used unparliamentarily and derogatory remarks against them on knowing their names which humiliated the whole Muslim community.
The group of traders then went to Gandhinagar police station and lodged written complaint against the Minister but police has not taken any action in the complaint and even FIR has not been registered. This action of police is very irresponsible and condemnable. The Person like Ch. Lal Singh who is notorious for using unparliamentarily language against government officials having communal attention is a danger for the minority community in Jammu division. The state which is infested with militancy for a long period needs an atmosphere of communal harmony and brotherhood but derogatory remarks of a minister against particular community are against the century old secular ethics of the state.
JMCC also visited Div Com Jammu office and presented a memorandum of their demands. JMCC also held protest Rally from Shaheedi chowk to CM House to present their memo of demands to CM Mehbooba Mufti but the demonstrators were intercepted by the security personal and advised them to approach SP Jammu South but he was not available when they see his office. Anyhow they appealed CM to intervene in the matter and direct Police to take necessary action and register FIR against the Minister for humiliating Gujjars as well Muslim community as a whole. Such elements in the society went upon to disturb peaceful atmosphere and communal harmony in the state. JMCC has threatened to continue their struggle till stern action against the minister is not taken.
Prominent among thos who were present in protest include, Shoukat Gujjar, President JK Gujjar federation,Mohd Rafeeq President Muslim Welfare committee Samba, Ch Akhtar, President Gujjar Islahi committee Jammu, Nazakat Khatana, president Gujjar Desh Youth Federation, Kash Choudhry, Moyhd Rafeeq, Haji Ikhlak, shoukat Mir, Imran Khan Liyaqat Ch. Wali Mohd, Aziz Ch. Sadam Hussain, Mohd Aslam, Mushtaq Ahmed, Haji Bashir, Abdul Hussain Raju Ch. Fareed Ahmed, Mohd Haneef.