JAMMU : Amid protests, Jammu witnessed a shutdown for the fifth consecutive day today as the agitation led by AIIMS Coordination Committee, demanding an AIIMS in the region, continued unabated.
Batting strongly for issuance of notification required as per AIIMS Act of 2012 to establish an AIIMS in Jammu region, the ACC threatened that the agitation will escalate further.
The chain hunger-strike resumed by the ACC here entered fortnight today with over 40 persons taking turns to sit for the protest.
Business establishments, market places and shops generally remained closed and public transport remained off the roads in view of the bandh call given by the ACC which is spearheading the agitation. The bandh had begun on August 30.
However, in certain areas some shops reopened.
People held protests by burning of tyres and effigies at several places and various roads in Janipur, Tawi brige, Gangyal, Jewel, Purani Mandi of the city.
Over 50 people have been arrested during the bandh period for defying restrictions and 30 of them have been bailed out, police said.
“The situation is peaceful. There were no reports of any violent incidents. Protests have been held at few places. Some areas also shops have reopened here”, SP Jammu, Rajiv Pandey said.
Speaking at the strike venue, ACC Chairman and Jammu Bar Association (JBA) President, Abhinav Sharma charged BJP with using force, including police, to derail the agitation.
He accused the police of using “brute force” on ACC protestors by restorting to “cane charge and teargas shelling” and “breaking window panes of our vehicles by rods and sticks on the direction of BJP ministers”.
“In case, the government continues to play dilly-dallying tactics with the sentiments of the people and does not come out forth with a notification required as per AIIMS Act of 2012 and declares establishment of AIIMS for Jammu, the agitation instead of dying down will further escalate leading to unimaginable consequences for the BJP”, Sharma had said.
Sharma warned that ugly actions by the government and the unwarranted disruption of people’s right to protest will boomerang for the BJP.
“We are aware that the local leadership is of no consequence for the central leadership which has reduced them to mere rubber stamps…” Sharma said.
The AIIMS Coordination Committee, an amalgam of over 70 social, religious, political and business organisations, had earlier called for 72 hours complete Jammu bandh from July 31 to August 2; it further extended the strike call by another 72 hours when the earlier deadline lapsed last evening.
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah visited ACC’s strike venue here yesterday proposing an all party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir to be formed to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the demand of setting up of an AIIMS in Jammu.
The Congress had also reiterated their support to the ongoing agitation.
“Congress fully supports the ongoing bandh and agitation in Jammu over the demand for an independent institution of AIIMS. BJP leaders are speaking lies in order to mislead the people over the whole issue to sabotage the ongoing movement”, J-K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President, Gulam Ahmed Mir said.
Countering allegations against BJP, the State BJP launched a frontal attack on the AIIMS Coordination Committee (ACC) alleging that it was being guided by the National Conference and Congress and added that it now stands exposed before the public.
State BJP President and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma told reporters here last night, “The BJP’s repeated assertions of ACC agitation being guided and directed by political parties like NC and Congress have been proven correct. The ACC stands exposed before the public now. (AGENCIES)
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