Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 3: Holding BJP-PDP Coalition Government squarely responsible for the casualties of the border dwellers in shelling and firing from across the border by Pakistan, National Conference today said that party will gherao the Civil Secretariat on November 7 to lodge protest over the Government’s failure to fulfill the promises made with the border people.
Addressing a press conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan this morning, Provincial President of National Conference, Devender Singh Rana slammed PDP-BJP dispensation for failing in timely evacuation of border dwellers along International Border and Line of Control, resulting in death of eight civilians, including four of a family in Ramgarh Sector.
“The State Government owes an explanation for abdicating its responsibility in shifting people to safety despite reported warnings by armed forces in the wake of large-scale shelling from across the border”, said Rana, who was flanked by former Minister and Senior State Vice President Surjeet Singh Slathia and MLA Bishnah Dr Kamal Arora.
Narrating woes and miseries of the people they met during their extensive visit to the forward areas, especially Ramgarh Sector, Rana said that the panic stricken residents were clueless about any arrangement made by the State Government. “We could see some socio-religious organizations looking after and providing food in temples to the dislocated people with administrative machinery missing from the scene”, he added.
The Provincial President said, “the situation is extremely volatile on borders and the recent killings have left the entire population in panic in entire belts of the LoC and International Border. However, the political instruments of the Government are completely missing”.
“The BJP’s indifference towards border people can be gauged from the fact that lofty promises of allotting five marla plots besides constructing shelter sheds and bunker turned out a big joke as nothing has been done so far”, he said, adding “had any of these measures been taken, the civilians would not have perished in the ongoing border skirmishes”.
He further said, “the BJP stalwarts only know how to create jingoism and show bravado. The jingoism and bravado over surgical strikes for political purposes ahead of UP and Punjab elections is highly deplorable”, adding “BJP and its ally PDP have miserably failed in meeting challenges in Jammu and Kashmir and the duo has lost connect with the people in both the provinces, which are reeling under unprecedented crisis”.
“At a time border residents were falling like lame ducks due to shelling, the BJP stalwarts were hosting Diwali Milan”, he said, adding “this speaks of their only motive of being glued to power”.
Former Minister Surjeet Singh Slathia gave a vivid account of border miseries and vouched for de-esclating the situation by engaging Pakistan in a meaningful dialogue. He said the shelling has been intense and unprecedented that has generated fear psychosis across the border belt with an uncertainty among the people.
“The PDP-BJP Government has failed in meeting the situation”, he said and cautioned that if appropriate measures are not taken in terms of providing basic necessities in the make shift accommodations, the border dwellers will be forced to march towards the winter capital.
Bishnah MLA Dr Kamal Arora said that Arnia sector has been hot bed of border skirmishes. “The people have been forced to flee from their homes and hearths but unfortunately the Government is nowhere to be seen to arrange for their shelter and other essentials”, he rued.
He said that border residents are in dire need of safe shelters, food, bedding and medical facilities in view of the continued shelling.
Responding to a question, Provincial President of National Conference said that party and the border residents will gherao the Civil Secretariat on November 7 to lodge protest over non-fulfillment of promises like five marla plots, shelter sheds and bunkers.
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