Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Aug, 05
Expressing anguish over the downgrading of J&K State to Union Territory on 5th August, 2019, the activists of NPP held massive dharnas and District and Tehsil Headquarters today and lodged their strong protest against the BJP led government at the centre. The activists raised slogans of “Dogra rajya ka darja bahal karo, bahal karo”, “4G internet bahal karo, bahal karo”, Jammu Prant ke sath bhed bhav nahin sahenge, nahin sahenge”, “Toll Plazas band kaor, band karo” Berojgar yuvaon ke saath insaf karo, insaf karo” etc. The protests were held at dozens of places all over Jammu province with protestors wearing red ribbons to mark the dawn of a new change in the erstwhile State of J&K. Meanwhile, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh submitted a detailed memorandum to Lt. Governor seeking restoration of statehood to J&K.
Addressing media persons in Jammu at the protest venue, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh said that the Jammu region had witnessed all round deprivation during the last one year with development activity having come to grinding halt and employment avenues having almost eclipsed. There was all round dis-enchantment amongst the youth, students, unemployed and underemployed youth, traders, professionals, farmers, labourers besides the civil society over the anti people decisions taken post Reorganization of the State. While the 4G internet ban had completed one year, there was not a word from the government for restoration of the said facility. The major developmental projects either had been stalled or abandoned with the BJP government maintaining a criminal silence over the fate of Artificial Tawi Lake Project, Zumbo Zoo, Smart City Mission, Panjthirith Multi Parking Complex, Beautification of Raghunath Bazar Project, Development of Tawi on Sabarmati Pattern and the Mubarak Mandi Project. The unemployed youth were seething with rage as no concrete policy was framed to address the growing unemployment. The contractuals, daily wagers, underemployed, Anganwari and Asha Workers, MGNREGA workers, NHM and MGNREGA employees, Rehber-e-Khel etc were all feeling betrayed with none to take cognizance of their shrill cries for justice. The only achievement of the BJP led government was the installation of multiple Toll Plazas in and around Jammu which otherwise continued to administer repeated dozes of discrimination even after Article 370 abrogation.
Ridiculing the BJP for holding celebrations despite growing public anger, Mr. Singh said that saffron party’s conduct deserved mourning rather than mere condemnation. He called upon the civil society to support NPP’s crusade for justice to varied sections of society.
Identical protests were held at Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Bani, Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Ramsoo, Doda, Kisthwar, Banihal, Vijaypur, Ramgarh, Khour, Ramnagar, Majalta, Khoon, Billawar, Hiranagar and Bishnah.
Pertinent to mention that Mr. Mohd Iqbal Choudhary, Vice President-JKNPP along with the leaders of Bhaderwah Unit were detained at Police Station Bhaderwah and restrained from lodging protest on the eve of 5th August. Others included Neeraj Singh Manhas and Rashid Choudhary. Prominent among those who led the protest in Jammu included Mrs. Manju Singh, Mrs. Anita Choudhary, Sonika, Rekha, Yogita, Palika Choudhary, Gagan Pratap Singh, Capt. Anil Gour, Surinder Chouhan, Ravinder Singh Jamwal, Vinod Singh Jamwal, Rakesh Gupta, Rajesh Gondhi, Neeraj Gupta, Kewal Krishan Sharma, Nirmal Kishore, Rajesh Sharma, Gurdeep Singh@Raju, Hakim Din, Yoginder Sumberia besides others.
