The need of empowering indigenous tribes is emphasised.
On the eve of World Tribal Day, the Anantnag District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) held an awareness camp in the nearby village of Kokernag on Wednesday, August 9.
Human Rights & Anti-Corruption Forum, an NGO, assisted in the planning of the project. Principal District and Sessions Judge Anantnag Jaffer Hussain Beigh, who is also the Chairperson of -DLSA Anantnag, spoke to the crowd, explaining that the Gujjar Bakerwal population of Anantnag in particular must be aware of the rights guaranteed to them by the Indian Constitution. He praised DLSA Anantnag for its work in raising people’s consciousness about the impact of different laws, particularly those that affect tribal populations.
Kokernag Shakeel Ahmad, Sub Divisional Magistrate, discussed the significance of World Tribal Day throughout history and emphasised the need for more education on laws that are designed to help the ST people.
Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, chairman of the J&K Right to Information Movement, was called as a resource person by the DLSA Anantnag, where he discussed the Forest Rights Act-2006 and the SC ST Prevention of Atrocities Act-1989. He advocated for the Gujjar and Bakerwal people by requesting that the government and DLSA Anantnag inform them of their rights under the Forest Rights Act and other legislation. He urged young Gujjars to speak out for their villages and fight for their legal entitlements.
