Poonch/Rajouri: Authorities have imposed restrictions on internet and gatherings in Poonch and Rajouri districts of J&K on Wednesday after the Indian Parliament gave a nod to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Pahari community in J&K.
The Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday evening, includes the Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Groups in the list of Scheduled Tribes in the region.
So far, only Gujjar and Bakerwal community had the Scheduled Tribe status with 9 per cent reservation in government jobs for members of this community. The Gujjar and Bakarwal community have opposed this bill and have already protested multiple times across J&K.
According to local sources, mobile internet services have been completely suspended, while officials asserted that internet speeds have been curtailed to ‘prevent any potential disturbances to law and order.’
The Bill is scheduled to be presented in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian parliament) today after receiving approval from the Lok Sabha.