Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 15: A 72-hour hunger strike led by Anil Sharma, president of the All Jammu & Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), was started today at Narsingh Mandir, Jindrah in Nagrota Assembly Constituency to highlight several long pending issues affecting the people of the area.
The decision to begin the hunger strike was taken earlier during a meeting of prominent citizens of Nagrota Assembly Constituency held under the banner of AJKPC. The meeting discussed various concerns related to administration, healthcare and education in the constituency and decided to start a peaceful protest so that the government and concerned authorities take note of the demands of the people.
The hunger strike began today at around 11:00 AM led by Anil Sharma along with social activists and local residents sitting on the protest. People from nearby villages and areas also reached the site during the day to extend their support.
Speaking on the occasion, Anil Sharma said the people of Nagrota constituency have been raising these issues for a long time but no concrete action has been taken so far. He said the hunger strike has been started to draw the attention of the government towards genuine public demands.
Among the main demands raised during the protest is the grant of functional Sub Division status to Nagrota along with establishment of an SDM office. The participants have also demanded Tehsil status for Jindrah.
The protesters have also sought setting up of a Tehsil Treasury at Dansal, better healthcare facilities in the constituency including a trauma hospital in Nagrota; new building for Government Degree College Jindrah and an ACB probe into the damage caused to the existing building of the college. They also raised demand of filling up of all vacant posts in schools and colleges of Nagrota constituency.
The hunger strike will continue for 72 hours in the first phase. The participants said that if the government starts dialogue and takes steps to address the demands, the agitation may be reviewed. In case there is no response, the protest may be extended further.
Prominent people who spoke on the occasion include Ganga Dutt Sharma, Chander Mouli Sharma, Krishan Kumar Dave, Mohd Fajji, Nazeer Ahmed, Sham Lal, Akshay Kumar, Sudesh Kumar, Darshan Kumar, Sanjay Jamwal, Hridesh Jamwal and others.
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