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| MUSHROOMING OF NOMAD POPULATION ALONG JAMMU- KATHUA NATIONAL HIGHWAY & RAILWAY TRACK COME UNDER SCANNER | | | Jammu, July 22 :- For the Railways authorities and security agencies the settlement of nomads, including Gujjar and bakerwal families, along the railway track between Jammu and Kathua and on either side of the national highway from the outskirts of the winter capital up to Kathua has added to their problems.
According to official sources," we do not know from where these nomadic tribes have come. we have yet to verify the purpose of their temporary stay in areas which are sensitive from the security point of view."
During a visit of various rail track and highway belts between Jammu and Kathua a team of Kashmir Independent Press was informed that these tribes pitched up their tents and built shanties by the side of the rail tracks and on either side of the highway.
Security personnel guarding the bridges ,number of them under construction around Tarna and Ujh rivers,told KIP that these shanties and tents, occupied by the Gujjar and Bakerwal families,could pose a major security risk because militants could carve out their hiding places in these shanties.
Official sources confirmed that several central intelligence agencies have sent reports to their bosses in Delhi seeking instructions to the state Government and security agencies to get these tents removed and facilities settlement of these gujjar and Bakerwal families in areas miles away from the railway track and the highway.
The sources said that militants could attack the trains and buses with grenades and guns while hiding themselves in the shanties and tents. And if the security forces retaliate it could result in killing of civilians leading to a public uproar.
The intelligence agencies are said to have sought intervention by the Union Home Ministry so that the state agencies verified the antecedents of these Gujjar settlers.Atleast the reason for migration and settlement near the railway tracks and the highway needed to be explored before these families were shifted to some other places.
These agencies favour deployment of additional security personnel to guard the vital rail and road bridges between Jammu and Kathua which is considered very sensitive belt.
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