JAMMU: The working of the alliance government and its response to the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir, leading to frequent suspension of Amarnath pilgrimage, on Sunday came under the sharp scanner at a meeting of prominent citizens chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh in Jammu.
During the meeting almost all the participants in one voice raised serious concerns over the safety of the Amarnath pilgrims, especially at a time when different parts of Kashmir have been witnessing street violence and reeling under curfew for the past 10 days.
Several speakers directly blamed the BJP-PDP alliance government for allowing the situation to take an ugly turn by adopting soft approach towards anti-social and anti-national elements and forcing the security forces to trim down their presence in the area bolstering militant groups to target security forces at will.
Sunil Dimple, President Jammu West Assembly Movement lodged a strong protest during the meeting. He shouted slogans ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Pakistan Murdabad in a bid to send across a strong message to Pakistan.
Later talking to media, Dimple claimed the State Government has failed to contain law and order situation and ensure fool proof security to Amarnath pilgrims. Dimple also raised concerns over direct intervention of Pakistan in the internal affairs of India
Sunil Dimple also held PDP Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti responsible for militancy in the State. He alleged that after forming an alliance with the PDP even BJP has become helpless and playing in to the hands of PDP agenda.
Other vocal leaders, present in the meeting, including, Leela Karan Sharma of VHP, President Jammu Bar Association, President Jammu Hotel and Lodges Association, Chairman Traders Association, and representatives of various religious organizations urged the Deputy Chief Minister to put across strong sentiments of people of Jammu region while demanding fool proof safety and security to the pilgrims during the yatra period. After hearing different viewpoints, the Deputy Chief Minister appealed to the masses to maintain communal harmony and sought cooperation of civil society and religious leaders in the State.
Prof Singh claimed the State Government is taking various measures to restore peace in Kashmir. He said there was a need to isolate trouble-mongers so that the common people are assuaged of hardships. “Only a handful of people are involved in fomenting trouble and there is a need to isolate and expose them,” he said and sought the cooperation of civil society in checking rumor mongering.
Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga, Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Priya Sethi, MLA West Sat Sharma, MLA East Rajesh Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu Danish Rana, DIG Jammu-Kathua Range, Ashkoor Wani, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh, Director Tourism Jammu Sushma Chouhan, senior functionaries of various departments were also present in the meeting.
Dispelling the apprehensions of transporters and business organizations, Dy CM said the government would provide all possible security and protection to the goods and supplies carriers as is being provided to Shri Amarnath Yatris.
Dr Nirmal Singh appealed the general public to assist local administration in maintaining peace and normalcy in their respective areas. He urged the people to maintain Jammu’s age old tradition of unity, brotherhood and amity and do not pay heed to the rumor mongers. He said all resources are being utilized to make the Shri Amarnathji Yatra peaceful.