NC-Cong deliberately divided Pahari areas, handed over one part to Pak in 1947: Manhas

Poonch, May 23: Zafar Iqbal Manhas, Apni Party’s candidate for the Rajouri-Anantnag Parliamentary seat, on Thursday accused the National Conference and its alliance partner Congress Party of deliberately dividing Pir Panjal Region (Pahari areas) and creating a Line of Control (LoC) by dividing the region in two parts – one part of it is presently under the occupation of Pakistan since 1947.
“These two parties joined hands to divide the strategically important border belt of Pahari-speaking people into two parts, the Apni Party candidate said, while blaming the NC and Congress as both were in power both in Centre and J&K respectively.
Manhas said these parties were responsible for making the whole region stretching from Rajouri to Karnah, a border area that opened the door of “unending miseries and sufferings” of both parts of the people of the undivided State of Maharaja.
Zaffar was addressing a roadshow in the Mendhar, Poonch in which former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and other leaders also participated.
Manhas cautioned the people of Pir Panjal from the “microscopic elements who are bent upon to disturb brotherhood and mutual coexistence of the Gujjars and Pahari tribes in the region for centuries”. “These microscopic people in the region are trying to create misunderstanding by sowing the seeds of discord in the society as they don’t believe in Live and Let Live. However, we will fight them at any cost to defend the mutual respect and brotherhood of Gujjar-Paharis in the region,” he said.
The Apni Party candidate said the Pahari tribe is one of the most backward and neglected tribes and has been struggling for more than 45 years to get recognition and reservations. He said some of the vested interests tried more than once to crush the Pahari movement that has now grown into a fully grown tree with its large trunk following its long struggle.
“I warn these self-interested individuals that we will not allow any kind of compromise with the future generation. The majority of Gujjars-Pahari have lived in peace and brotherhood with each other for centuries in the region. However, we will not allow destructive plans of a few against the reservation to Pahari Tribe, neither we shall allow them to harm our centuries-old brotherhood,” he stated.
He added, “The urbanised microscopic minority is creating misunderstanding among the Gujjars-Paharis tribes for their vested interest, who have settled in urban areas of Jammu and other parts of the region. “We will expose them when the time comes and will not allow such elements to hurt the peaceful atmosphere in the region.”
Meanwhile, Manhas assured that if he gets elected to the Parliament, he will revamp the development and tourism in the region which would generate employment and boost the local economy. He said the region has huge potential that needs to be explored for the sustainable development, and exploration of new avenues of employment opportunity.
He also referred to his commitment that he would leave no stone unturned to fight for a separate Parliamentary seat for Rajouri–Poonch so that the people get their own representative in the Parliament. He also pitched for Hill Development Council, and funds on the pattern of Ladakh.