Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 5: While the main thrust of all organizations of Jammu which called on the visiting All Party Delegation (APD) here today was that there should be no compromise with unity and integrity of the country and protection of interests of the people of all three regions of the State was imperative, however some leaders strongly advocated for re-organization of the State and separate statehood to Jammu saying the region does not want to remain part of Kashmir any more.
Outrightly rejecting the demands of autonomy, self rule, four point Musharaff formula, so called Azadi or merger with Pakistan, former Minister and MLA Udhampur Pawan Gupta who called on APD said that these demands led to present Islamic movement in Kashmir and the people of Jammu region who have suffered over the years are not with it.
Gupta, who submitted a memorandum to the delegation demanded that in view of the present situation in the Valley and discrimination meted out to Jammu region over the years, the only solution lies in grant of separate Statehood to Jammu as the people of this region want separation from Kashmir. He said since 1947 the power balance remained with Kashmir despite the fact that Jammu had equal population to Kashmir and more area than Valley. He said 94 percent of the State is not with separatism and problem is confined to Kashmir valley while Ladakh and Jammu regions are peaceful so these two regions should not be made to suffer.
While strongly condemning the anti national posturing adopted by the separatists and secessionists who refused to meet the APD, Jammu Kashmir Nationalist Panthers Party (JKNPP) chairman and former Minister Harshdev Singh said there should be no compromise with such saboteurs and subversive forces and they be dealt according to law.
Singh, who met the APD said the soft approach and open space given to the largely pampered separatists was primarily responsible for the deteriorating security scenario in the Valley and demanded invocation of sedition charges against all those challenging the integrity and sovereignty of India. He also submitted 25 point charter of demands to the visiting delegation.
Seeking equitable treatment to all three regions of the State, Singh apprised the APD about the persistent neglect and deprivation of Jammu region by the successive Governments as against a highly mollycoddled Kashmir valley which though had flatly refused to acknowledge the Central benevolence and doles as was evident from ongoing turmoil.
Projecting the issues and concerns of Jammu region Singh said that people were largely disappointed with the U-turns taken by the mandated leaders with regard to the grandiloquent promises made at the time of elections and non incorporation of even a single election promise in the Agenda of Alliance. He strongly advocated for delimitation of Assembly and Lok Sabha Constituencies and alleged that coalition had taken U-turn on the same. Mr Singh had a verbal duel with the Security Officer during his meeting with APD who wanted the NPP leader to be brief due to paucity of time with APD and number of delegation more. However, Harshdev took strong exception to the role of a Security Officer telling him he was acting at the behest of BJP.
BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar who led the KP team to meet the APD reiterated that for having lasting peace in Kashmir it is imperative that Kashmiri Pandits are settled at one place in Valley with the guarantee of non re-foulment and retention along with statutory political rights.
Ambardar said that yesterday MPs from Left parties kept on chasing separatists in the Valley who are responsible for fomenting present trouble in Valley and who don’t believe in Constitution of India. “This has not gone down well with the Pandit community as these were the people who were responsible for the exodus of the minority Pandits from Kashmir,” he added.
He said though there aren’t any exceptions from the Left Parties as they acted as mute spectators during the early nineties when this socio-religious community was forced to leave their homes and hearths. Pandits have full faith in Union Government headed by Narendra Modi as the BJP has always stood for the rights of the community and we believe that the rights of the community will be taken care of, he added.
The delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) led by its president Rakesh Gupta which met the APD highlighted the plight of traders of Jammu province who have been hit hard by 27 year long turmoil in general and last over two months Valley unrest in particular.
The Chamber, which submitted a memorandum to the APD demanded special concessions be given to Jammu trade and industry which has suffered an immense loss due to Valley turmoil. It demanded that PDP-BJP should implement its agenda of Alliance in letter by fulfilling the aspirations of all thee regions of the State. The Opposition parties should stop making comments terming the present alliance in the State as unholy and also opposed the imposition of Governor’s rule in the State.
A joint delegation of displaced person of 1947 from PoK, comprising Jammu Kashmir Sharnarthi Action Committee represented by Gurdev Singh (president) and MJR-47 represented by Suchwant Singh- spokesperson called upon the All Parties delegation headed by Union Home Minister Raj Nath Singh here today.
Both the leaders forcefully presented their views in totality regarding the seven decades old legitimate issue of DP’s settlement and expressed their strong resentment for not clarifying the details of the package announced by Prime Minister.
They apprised the delegation about Rs 2000 crore package repeatedly announced by the PM which have not been sanctioned by Govt of India despite a lapse of nine months.
Strongly advocating for reorganization of the J&K State, Panun Kashmir president Ashwani Chrungoo said that KPs outrightly reject going back to 1947 or 1953 position.
“Chrungoo who submitted a memorandum to APD said that unrest in Kashmir has made the Jammu province, Ladakh, Kashmiri Pandits and PoJK Therefore, he said, refugees as hostages time and again. Therefore, he said this is the high time these three regions and communities be brought out of clutches of hostage crisis and for this GoI should immediately consider reorganization of the State with separate homeland for Kashmiri Pandits in Valley. He demanded immediate stopping of pampering of Kashmiri leaders responsible for crisis in the Valley and people who are not contributing to the unrest should be involved in a different dialogue by GoI.
Chrungoo said for KPs human rights violation is biggest issue and in this context what has been done to package employees in the Valley is the latest example. He warned that in case pampering continues the Government will be involving trouble in those areas of the State as well which have remained peaceful so far.
Maintaining that the pre 1953 status was unacceptable, the Jammu Bar Association president Abhinav Sharma who met the APD demanded that talks be held with those who believe in Constitution of India and who want to have a dialogue within the Constitutional frame work.
“There should not be any talk whether J&K is part of India because accession of the State with Indian Union is un challengeable. Besides there should be no appeasement policy for separatists and every step be taken to take people of Jammu including those belonging to Poonch-Rajouri and Doda Kishtwar districts into confidence in any future dialogue,” the Bar said.
Jammu -Kashmir Nationalist Movement (JKNM) convener, Dr K N Pandita who also met the delegation said that the resolution of Kashmir issue is possible by addressing its three main aspects including restoration of territories of the original State of J&K, return and rehabilitation of displaced persons of 1947 tribal attack at their respective places of origin and reversal of ethnic cleansing in Kashmir valley.
Terming present turmoil in Kashmir as part of blackmail agenda of the separatists and secessionists, Pandita said in view of the rise of armed insurgency in Kashmir in 1990 and its consequent Wahhabization of Valley society, where not only Pakistan but even ISIS flags are being seen fluttering freely, the internally displaced community of KPs are for restitution in one inclusive , concentrated habitat in the Valley as the concept is supported by UN Human Rights Working Group on IDPs and Dilip Padgaonkar Committee of interlocutors on Kashmir.
Federation of Industries of Jammu led by Lalit Mahajan, chairman also submitted a memorandum to the APD and while highlighting the plight of industrialists of Jammu said that they have suffered constantly since 1980 when the militancy hit neighboring Punjab and disturbing conditions in the State since 1989.
He demanded that GoI should come to the rescue of the industry in Jammu and save it before it cripples fully. He urged the delegation to understand the gravity of economic conditions of the industrial sector in Jammu and provide instant relief with the short term measures on the war footing basis for the survival of industrial sector in the region.
Indian Association of Tour Operators chairman Capt. (Retd) Anil Gour, who also met APD, while highlighting the losses suffered by the tour and travel industry demanded a suitable package for it. He further demanded setting up of a Grievances Cell in the Ministry to monitor and act as a helpline to the affected tourists and tour operators from all parts of India.
J&K Ex-servicemen League led by Maj Gen (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal ex MLC said the unemployment was the main contributory factor to present unrest in Kashmir and demanded one time five lakh job package be given to the State.
Bharat Raksha Manch president V K Gupta expressed shock and sorrow over the attack on security forces and policemen by the mob while discharging their duties in Valley. He expressed concern over loss of youth in violence in Valley and said that few people are with the so called Azadi as stated by Chief Minster recently.
It said that the solution of the problem lies in vacation of the entire portion of J&K under the illegal control of Pakistan and China and the State by brought under the direct control of Union Government be forming UTs of Ladakh, Kashmir Valley and Jammu.
District Gurdwara Parban-dhak Committee Jammu led by its president Jagjit Singh in his meeting with the APD highlighted the plight of Sikh community in the State said it has suffered miseries since partition when about 40,000 men, women and children of the community were killed. The community became refugees after losing its movable and immovable property in PoK.
It demanded that justice be delivered to the community by punishing all those responsible for killings in 1984 and 1989 riots, State Government be prevailed upon to set up Minority Commission on the lines of National Commission of Minorities (NCM) for safeguarding the interests of the community, special package for Sikhs of Valley and settlement of refugees of PoJK.
KP Sabha president K K Khosa submitted a memorandum to the APD suggesting various ways and measures in putting the State back on rails and also settling the problems of displaced Pandits.
The memorandum said that the unrest which till now was restricted to Valley has already started having its impact on the other regions of the State in terms of economic and social stress.
It demanded jailing of all trouble mongers responsible for present unrest, initiating of CBMs, delinking of dialogue with Pakistan from the process with the stakeholders in the Valley, the package employees should not be coerced to join their duties in Valley in view of the attacks on Haal and Nutnassu transit camps as the employees faith has been shaken and they feel terrorized etc.
Dogra Brahman Sabha delegation led by its president Ved Parkash while submitting a memorandum to the delegation said that the Jammu region has always been ignored and preference has been given to Kashmir valley only. It demanded stern action against anti national elements and militants supported by Pak. It further demanded special package for people living on LoC and IB to strengthen nationalist forces in the State.
National Mazdoor Conference (NMC) delegation led by Subash Shastri submitted a memorandum to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding inclusion of Rs 9000 crore package in its report so that 7th Pay Commission report is implemented in the State too.
Maintaining that accession of J&K with rest of the country is unchallengable, Janata Dal Secular demanded that there should be no compromise on national unity and integrity.
Acting president of the JDS Ram Rattan Sharma who submitted a memorandum to APD demanded that GoI should take steps to liberate PoK from Pakistan and take stern action against separatists and terrorists.
Meanwhile, various organisations protested against the APD by terming the visit an eye wash while Panun Kashmir boycotted the meeting with APD.
The PK convener Dr Agnishekhar and chairman Dr Ajay Chrungoo at a hurriedly called press conference while assigning the reasons of boycott said the visit was only an eye wash. They also hit out at MPs for begging before the separatists for a meeting.
The PK leaders said that 12 leaders of various KP organisations were invited for the meeting with APD and the time allotted to them was eight minutes from 2-55 pm to 3-03 pm which was not acceptable as it was not possible for these representatives to keep their point of view in just eight minutes.
Jammu Paryatan Vikas Mandal delegation led by its chairman Inderjeet Khajuria also met the APD and apprised it about the huge loss suffered by Jammu tourism traders since July 8 unrest.
SOS International while criticising the delegation said that those organisations were given priority to meet APD who were pro-government while others who were the genuine sufferers were ignored.
Chairman SOS Internatio-nal Rajiv Chuni said the Government adopted pick and chose policy in this regard and said that those who have nothing to do with the PoK refugees were given time because they are pro government while the genuine representatives of POJK refugees were ignored.
All India Backward Classes Union which was not allowed to meet the APD also protested and raised slogans against the administration for ignoring it.
Union leaders said that this shows that APD team was not ready to talk to people in Jammu who are real sufferers.
All Migrant Camps Coordination Committee also protested against the APD and demanded that the real and genuine representatives of the community be allowed to meet the delegation and highlight their view point. It said the people living in camps who have worst sufferers of turmoil were not allowed to meet the delegation.
Bajrang Dal protested against the MPs form Left Parties for visiting the Hurriyat leaders residence to have a meeting with them while Displaced Kashmiri Sikh Forum led by Harmohinder Singh also protested for not allowing their representatives to meet the APD to highlight problems of Valley and displaced Sikhs.
JTC president Shadi Lal Pandita also termed the visit of APD an eyewash saying that genuine representatives of migrants were ignored.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel