20 parties vow to fight for cause
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU,Oct 21: The representatives of around 20 political and social organizations, civil society, intellectuals, lawyers, dents and youth associations and trade bodies today held a joint session and passed a resolution in Jammu christened as ‘Jammu Declaration’ seeking statehood for Jammu region in view of persistent neglect and deprivation faced by the people of the region in multifarious fields including general development, funds allocation, tourism promotion, employment etc for the past several decades.
The participants observed that the disregard for the incarcerated Jammu region continued even post re-organization of J&K State and abrogation of Art 370 thereby leaving statehood as the only available option for the people of Jammu region. The meeting was convened by Chairman JKNPP, Harsh Dev Singh and former Minister. It was attended by representations of various political and social organizations including Former Session Judge, Pavitar Singh and president, Amar Kashatriya (Rajput) Sabha, Gulchain Singh Charak, president, Dogra Sadar Sabha, Yash Paul Kundal, general secretary, NPP and Ex-Minister, Manish Sahni, president, Shiv Sena (Bal Thakray), Krishan Manhas, Chairman, Hindu Shiv Sena, Rajiv Mahajan, president, Shri Ram Sena, Col. (retd) S.S Pathania, Chairman, Sainik Samaj Party, Ankur Sharma, Chairman, IKKJUTT Jammu, M.S Katoch, working president JPPF, K.S Salathia, convenor UDA, Tarlok Motton, president, All India Batwal Biradari Welfare Association, Sudhir Singh, retired IGP, Prof. Jai Kumar, retired Director Colleges, Rakesh Singh, advocate, Parshotam Parihar, secretary Dogra Kranti Dal and Raj Pratap Singh convenor, ‘Jammu ki Yuva Soch’ besides others.
Speaking on the occasion, Harsh Dev said that even after abrogation of Article 370, Jammu continues to suffer and bleed. The much touted slogans of Jammu’s empowerment and equitable share in State’s resources besides assured benefits of several other Central laws and schemes have proved a hoax. While Ladakh and Kashmir continue to receive the focussed attention of the Centre, what actually falls in the lap of a marginalized Jammu region is mere peanuts. The first select list issued post de-organization of State by the Government relates to Fire Services Department wherein Jammu region has got a bare sprinkling in the form of 10% share while the major decisions continue to be taken keeping Kashmir in mind.
Asserting that Jammu Pradesh was the biggest causality of Kashmir crisis, Singh said that there was no justification whatsoever in clubbing Jammu with Kashmir and classifying it as a Union Territory. “The peace loving people of Jammu region were well known for their nationalist, secular credentials and respect for country’s Constitution, its integrity and sovereignty. Jammu region had remained most peaceful even when the other states witnessed violent protests, arson and bloodshed as seen during the recent CAA and NRC agitation in the country. It was however most distressing to note that it was being made to suffer only for the troubles in Kashmir and divested of even its basic rights. The 4G Internet connectivity was snapped in Jammu region only because of problems in Kashmir. Statehood was snatched from us only because of issues with Kashmir. The democratic rights have been denied to us only because of adverse security situation in Kashmir and so on and so forth”, lamented Singh.
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