STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHUA: Congress on Sunday staged protest against government seeking implementation of One Rank One Pension in favour of ex- servicemen and hardships being faced by the border dwellers. The Congress leaders and workers including ex-Servicemen took out protest march simultaneously in Kathua and Hiranagar against the anti-democratic attitude adopted by the Central Government and the suicide committed by one ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal. They also expressed resentment over the detention of AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi.
The demonstrators carried placards denouncing the Modi Government for its failure to fulfill the promises made to the ex-Servicemen with regard to the OROP and for the ill-treatment to the family of Grewal, who laid down his life for the cause of ex-Servicemen which shows the total arrogance and insensitiveness on the part of the Central Government.
The demonstrators also expressed concern over the situation all along the border and the hardships being faced by the border residents due to lack of facilities in the prevailing situation. They lambasted the government which has failed to fulfill its promises made during elections especially grant of 5 Marlas plot in safer areas and bunkers besides extending benefits of reservation on the pattern of LoC residents and recruitments for the border youth.
Prominent among those who joined the protest include Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma General Secretary PCC, Subash Gupta Ex-MLC, District President, Naresh Sharma, Anuradha Andotra, Pawan Raina, Kulbeer Singh and Nirdosh Sharma Secretaries PCC, Th. Balbir Singh former MLA, G.L Chalotera , Pankaj Dogra, Jagdish Dogra, Paramjeet Singh and Ravinder Pal Singh.
Meanwhile, a candle light march was organied to pay homage to soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for the sake of nation, at Shaheedi Chowk, Kathua. JKPCC State General Secretary Dr Manohar Lal Sharma presided over the function and started the function with the lighting of candle at Memorial situated at Shaheedi Chowk. District Congress Committee President Former MLC Subash Gupta was also present. The participants observed two-minute silence to pray for soldiers who sacrificed their lives in service of the nation.
