Jammu, Feb 07: As a preventive measure to ensure law and order situation, the district administrations in Rajouri and Poonch on Wednesday imposed section 144 banning gathering of people at a certain places. Moreover the administration also suspending internet services.
“The Internet services were stopped and section 144 was imposed in Poonch this morning and the restrictions still continue,” SSP Poonch, Yougal Manhas informed Rising Kashmir, while adding, “The decision to lift these restrictions will be taken after assessing the ground situation”.
The step has been taken in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order following the Parliament’s nod to the grant of Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community in J&K.
Parliament on Tuesday passed the bill granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Pahari community living in different parts of J&K.
As of now, the Gujjar/Bakerwal community had the Scheduled Tribe status with 9% reservation in government jobs.
Gujjar/Bakarwal community has all along opposed the grant of ST status to Paharis saying that it would affect the reservations made for Gujjar/Bakerwal community.
Along with the Paharis, Parliament has also passed the bill granting ST status to Padari tribe, Kolis and Gadda Brahmins of the UT.
It may be mentioned that the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has assured that the grant of ST status to Paharis would not impact the reservations made for the Gujjar/Bakkerwal community.
