Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Oct 2: While appreciating the successful “surgical strikes” on the seven militants’ launching pads across LoC as the need of the hour, an interactive session on `current situation in J&K State’, organized by the Interaction Forum, Jammu Province felt that whatever may be the causes of unrest in Kashmir, Jammu province cannot remain unaffected by these prolonged unfortunate developments.
It said that loss of human lives and unending violence in Kashmir was a matter of concern for Jammu as well but found no justification for carrying on this unrest. It felt that turmoil was not only affecting Kashmir’s economy, education and life but also impacting Jammu in many ways and as such the Forum appealed to the Kashmir’s Civil Society and all political parties to join hands and restore normalcy.
Speakers also made a strong point for making Jammu relevant to every situation and recognizing its prominent role in finding any solution besides maintaining its identity.
Several noted persons from various fields including civil society, academics, trade and industry, media, advocates, environmentalists, retired civil servants participated in the three hours’ interactive session and shared their views candidly.
A presidium comprising Prof SK Sharma, KB Jandial, HC Jalmeria Advocate convener, Ashok Sharma former legislator presided while Capt Lalit Sharma presented vote of thanks. Zahid Sarfraz Malik advocate aptly compared the proceedings.
Jalmeria in his key note address said that the current situation in the State is outcome of neglect of decades old issues of inter-regional discrimination and time to time movements in different regions. The communal, fundamentalist and secessionist forces have fished in the troubled waters. A large area of the State is in illegal occupation of Pakistan & China which is being used to foster terrorism. He said Sheikh Abdullah was wiser than the present political activists in Kashmir who supported accession and integration of State with democratic & secular India. He appealed the people of Kashmir not to get in trap of Pak sponsored design to disturb the otherwise peaceful, secular and democratic fabric of the state.
Jandial said that present turmoil could not be linked with present PDP-BJP alliance Govt as it was essential to respect the overwhelming mandate of Jammu. Challenging this theory to justify unrest, he said that in democracy, one region cannot dictate the electoral outcome of other region on the basis its liking and disliking. He said, Kashmir had no problem when NC joined BJP led NDA during Vajpayee time.
He asked political analysts and commentators to introspect as to why Kashmir had complete peace during Sheikh’s rule despite his return to mainstream politics in 1975 after patronizing Plebiscite Front but problem started only after his death.
Ashok Sharma, YV Sharma, Anwar Choudhary, Brig ( Retd) OP Abrol, Prof SK Sharma, Prof B L Zutshi, MK Bangroo senior journalist, RS Gill, Prof (Dr) Sandeep Singh, Madan Dogra, Wing Cdr (Regd) GL Sharma, BS Jamwal Ex- DC, OP Sharma- senior journalist, SC Sharma IFS (Regd) and Subhash Shastri- trade unionist leader also participated in interaction.
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