Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, FEB 08:
Alleging increase in bias and discrimination against Jammu region during the present regime with a highly domineering Kashmiri leadership literally robbing the dogra land of is due and legitimate share, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and Former Minister today observed that Re-organisation of the state with statehood for Jammu was the only panacea for ills afflicting the region.
He said that history bore testimony to the fact that Jammu region had all along remained neglected in various spheres including employment, development etc with Kashmir region holding majority not only in legislature but occupying the highest office of Chief Minster since the formation of the state with a few exceptions. He said that most distressing was the fact that incumbent saffron flavoured govt gave persistent shocks to Jammuites by their ignominious surrenders on all Jammu related issues under the smoke screen of national interest. And all this notwithstanding the fact that BJP had proclaimed themselves as champions of Jammu cause and besides being equal partners in the govt, he lamented. He was addressing a press conference in Jammu today.
Pointing towards the glaring instances of Jammu’s neglect and deprivation Mr. Singh reminisced that civil society had to agitate for months together to get back the prestigious AIIMS project which was shifted to Kashmir despite its original sanction for Jammu. He said that prior to that the people of Jammu had to take to agitationl course for establishment of central University at Jammu. He said that only recently Metro rail project with three corridors has been sanctioned for Srinagar at a whoping cost of Rs. 15881 crore to the neglect of Jammu notwithstanding the fact that Jammu is more vulnerable from traffic point of view with almost half the population of District Srinagar migrating to Jammu in winters.
He said that Jammu’s sentiment has again been hurt by denying state subject rights to West Pak Refugees and contrarily providing all facilities to illegal immigrants from Burma and Bangladesh and settling them in Jammu to the utter chagrin and disenchantment of Jammuites at the cost of their security.
He said that with the governance in J&K having been virtually hijacked by anti-nationals and separatists, it was impossible for Jammu region to grow and flourish in the present set up.
Appealing the youth and students to strengthen JKNPP, the lone political voice of Jammu region, for the honour and Justice to dogra land, Mr. Singh said that the ultimate solution lay only in the creation of separate state for Jammu. He said that those opposing state hood for Jammu were only acting as agents of their Kashmiri Masters who had lost their authority in Kashmir and wanted Jammu’s perpetual subjugation so as to continue their black rule over the dogra land.
Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia State President and Mr. Gagan Partap Singh Gen. Secretary and Spokes-person Young Panthers were also present in the press conference.
