Talib and Ghulam represent a growing problem in Jammu. Already feeling threatened by the Hindu-led Amarnath agitation in the region, many Gujjars have begun leaving their homes, driven by a word-of-mouth ‘campaign’ promising them free land.

Nearly 100 Gujjars, including women and children, have assembled on the premises of the institute, run by a local National Conference leader, Chowdhary Haroon.

This migration began a week ago. After a couple of families arrived here initially, far greater numbers began their journey after hearing rumours about the wealth in store for them.

However, this phenomenon has baffled Gujjar leaders, who have informed the administration about the matter. According to Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey and Inspector General of Police, Jammu zone, K Rajindra, the situation may have been engineered by parties with vested interests, who wish to drive the Gurjjars out of their kullas (mud huts).

Senior officers in the administration, too, said a local People’s Democratic Party leader was reportedly behind this, as he wished to capture land in the area. A senior leader of the Muslim Front, Jammu, also said a local politician was doing this. “We have brought this to the notice of the administration,” he said. Both Pandey and Rajindra added that they are persuading these Gujjars to return to their kullas, with assurances that adequate security will be provided to them at their places of stay. Two Gujjar families who came here from Samba have already returned after Deputy Commissioner, Samba, Sourav Bhagat, sent a senior revenue officer to convince them, Pandey pointed out.

Nonetheless, the trend continues, with several Gurjjars starting to proceed towards Sunjwan. “We heard that Gujjars are assembling at Sunjwan. We talked to Molvi Jameel on the phone and he asked us to come if they feel threatened there,” said Md Shafi who is leaving for Sunjwan from Pahalan Mandal.

Expressing concern over the exploitation of Gujjars whose kullas have already been burnt by protestors during the Amarnath agitation, National Secretary of the Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation, an organisation working for the welfare of Gurjjars across the nation, Javed Rahi, called upon the community to identify such elements so that action can be taken against them.