PEERZADA SAYEED
Karnah, May 29, 2024— The traditional nomadic lifestyle of the Gujjar and Pahari communities in Tehsil Karnah is facing severe disruption due to new administrative measures. For centuries, these communities have migrated with their livestock to high mountain pastures for four to six months during the summer, setting up camps from May to October. However, recent security protocols have significantly restricted their movement, necessitating military permissions that were previously more straightforward to obtain.
Until last year, the process required the head of each Kamba to submit a form with personal details and photographs to the local administration, which then coordinated with the military. This year, the process has become more cumbersome, with demands for additional photographs and documentation. Specifically, two photos must be submitted to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara and twelve to the Army, causing delays and frustration among the residents.
The requirement for new photographs and extensive paperwork has forced many to lock their cattle at home, incurring significant financial losses. The inefficiencies and demands for repeated visits to administrative offices, often under scorching heat, have left many unable to secure the necessary permissions.
The complexity of the new system has led to public outcry. Residents argue that the excessive requirements are not only financially burdensome but also unnecessary. They demand a return to the simpler, previous process, which allowed them to obtain identity cards without excessive bureaucratic hurdles.
Kaniz Fatima, President of the People’s Conference in Karnah constituency, voiced the community’s concerns. “I have spoken to SSP Kupwara, who assured me that permissions should be processed through the local police station in Tangdar Karnah,” she stated. Despite this assurance, the local population continues to face difficulties.
The residents have urged the administration to simplify the procedure and mitigate the financial and logistical burdens placed on them. Without a resolution, the traditional way of life and the welfare of their livestock are at risk. The community’s demand is clear: streamline the process to allow the nomadic herders to continue their centuries-old traditions without undue hardship.
