STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Apni Party on Thursday staged a protest against the new land laws for Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to the Govt of India to roll back the ‘black law’ which is against the wishes of the people.
Led by Apni Party leaders, General Secretary Vikram Malhotra, Provincial President Manjit Singh, Provincial President of Women Wing Namrta Sharma gathered outside the Press Club and organised a demonstration against the law. State Coordinator (OBC) Madan Lal Chalotra, State Coordinator (SC) Bodh Raj Bhagat, Ex-MLA Prem Lal, Pranav Shagotra, Shanker Singh Chib, Media Coordinator Raqeeq Ahmed Khan among others participated in the protest demonstration.
Holding party flags and shouting slogans against the law, the protesting leaders alleged that the law is seen by the locals as snatching their rights’ without consulting them. While taking out a protest rally towards Dogra Chowk from the Press Club, the police contingent prevented the protesting leaders by barricading the road.
The police did not allow them to move out on the main road and block the traffic when the leaders pressed to head towards the Chowk.
“We will not compromise with the future generation. The Govt of India should rethink and take back the decision which is against the interests of the people,” said Vikram Malhotra.
He added that “There is unrest among the people after the notification of land laws for J&K. People are unable to believe that the promises made with them have not been fulfilled even as they have supported the GoI in every step.”
“Govt has left Jammu in utter shock,” Malhotra reacted and said this law is anti-people. “It should be taken back before it is too late,” warns Apni Party’s senior leader.
Speaking on the occasion, former Minister and Provincial President, Manjit Singh warned that “People have strong resentment in J&K particularly Jammu region. Jammu’s Dogras had trusted the Govt but they feel cheated now.”
“The industrial sector, tourism sector, employment, trader, agriculture sector and daily wagers/casual labourer’s issues are still unresolved. There is no concrete planning by the Govt for the revival of all above sectors and regularization of the daily wagers who have been tagged as back door entries. When all these problems remained unaddressed, the notification of new land laws has rubbed salt to the wounds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially Jammu,” said Manjit Singh.
Jammu people trusted the promises made by the Govt with them that their jobs, land and identity will be protected and now, it all proved to be hollow assurances, added Manjit Singh.
The Former Minister said that “Jammu should not be taken for granted for its silence to the anti-J&K policies. We have always supported the Govt in national interest.” Meanwhile, Namrta Sharma said “We have come out to protest against the Govt for implementing black laws in Jammu and Kashmir one by one and people being crushed without taking into their consideration.”
“Prime Minister Narindra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured protection of rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir whether it is land, job or restoration of statehood. Now, the Govt is implementing those laws which are not in the interest of the people,” added Namrta.
Namrta said that “The outsiders will snatch jobs and land from the local residents of J&K and this will not be allowed by the Apni Party. Jammu will never tolerate snatching their rights.”
Prominent among the protesters include Ajaz Kazmi, Raj Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Shah, Sardeesh Rana, Joginder Singh, Vaibhav Mattoo, Sandeep Gandotra, Simranjeet Singh, Dalbir Singh, JP Singh, Hateshwar Singh Chib, Lakvinder Singh, Raj Kumar Lalotra, Sohan Singh Soni, Sansar Chand, Jagish Pandey, Master Lal Hussain, Vishal Zutshi, Sanjay Dhar, Vinod Pandita, Mohan Singh Batti, Vijay Mangotra, Sheetal Singh, Sanjay (Bitti), Rajeev Anand, Marshal Dutta, Rajinder Gupta, Amit Sharma, Advocate Tajinder Singh, Ankit Sharma, Jagjeet Singh (Sonu), Rahil Paul, Gulshan Kumar, Amit Gandotra, Dilbag Singh, Joginder Lal, Babu Ram Bhagat, Ashok Choudhary, Manjit Singh, Babu Choudhary, Ashok Choudhary, Rattan Lal (Rtd Inspector), Manjeet Singh (Naib Sarpanch), Bablu Choudhary (Panch), Sardar Mohan Singh Bhatti, Bachan Choudhary, Ajid Hussain (Ex- Sarpanch), Yashpal Baghat, Manhoman Singh, Shamsher Singh, Pawan Singh, Dilawar Khan, Jagdish Raj Sethi, Jagbeer Singh, Sardar Parvinder Singh, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Raj Kumar Singh among others. From woman wing Meenu Sharma, Joti Kumari, Manmeet Kour, Rama Anand, Anchal Anand, Meenu Sharma Jyoti, Renu Sharma, Rajni Sangra, Komal, Rama Anand, Anchal Anand, Manmeet Kour, Reeta khajuria and Sapna.
