STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Senior Vice President Pradesh Congress Committee and former minister Sham Lal Sharma on Monday asked the Centre to engage all stakeholders in ‘bilateral talks’ to find out permanent solution to grievances of people and to restore normalcy and political stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
While addressing a meeting block committee meet at Akhnoor, Sham said that current unrest was an outcome of the wrong policies and mishandling of the situation by BJP PDP Government. He said the alliance has proved to be a disastrous for the State.
Sharma demanded that the Centre while inviting the all stake holders for bilateral talks should ensure the participation of all the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
He reiterated that neglecting Jammu region will strengthen brewing discontentment in the region, especially among youths who suffer a lot due to worst unrest in the valley. He demanded that empowerment of Jammu has become imperative as this region is bridge between Kashmir and Delhi, which kept secular and nationalistic spirit alive in most testing times. He said aspirations of the region provide sustainable substance to Jammu and Kashmir State as integral part of union of India.
“Terrorism has no place in the civilized society”, he said and assailed BJP for making compromises to remain glued to power. He referred to controversial and sensitive issues like Pandit and Sainik colonies raked up by the BJP which allegedly spoiled the cordial environment in Kashmir. He condemned shortsightedness of power hungry BJP.
The former minister recalled how Jammu people had accommodated migrants from Kashmir irrespective of their religion or faith, and said that Jammu trader, businessman and industrialist despite irrational treatment meted out to them, contributed significantly in survival of state economy. Taking a jibe at BJP, Sharma questioned whether betrayers of Jammu have time to provide them any special package? “Unemployment , standstill developmental activities and neglect of rural masses, old age citizens do not seem to be the priority of BJP PDP dispensation”, Sharma said and asked the unholy alliance to desist from promoting political instability to divert masses attention from real issues.
Sharma also said that employees from Jammu working in Darbar or in other parts of Kashmir, who are presently stuck in ongoing turmoil, should be provided proper security to avoid any mishap owing to threat from various anti-national elements, responsible for Kashmir unrest.
Those who were present include Kuldeep Raj Verma,Subash Langer, Sham Lal Choudhary, Krishan Lal,Raj Rani,Vijay Jammwal,Naresh Dutt and others.
