The authorities in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have suspended internet services and imposed restrictions in Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu region to prevent people, especially members of Gujjar and Bakarwal community, from holding anti-India demonstrations.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the measures were taken following the recent protests by Gujjar-Bakarwals denouncing the designation of additional communities as Scheduled Tribes (ST). Ty said the move will undercut available reservations for tribals.
The two districts are simmering with anger over the tabling of a controversial bill, known as the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Indian Parliament. The Bill aims to give Scheduled Tribes status to Paharis, Paddari tribe, Gadda Brahman and Koli community. Majority of the people of these communities are non-Muslims. Legal and political experts say that the move by the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government is intended to appease its supporters and incite communal tension to pave way for the persecution of Muslims of Gujjar and Bakarwal community.—KMS
