Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 7: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and former J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that worst ever situation along the International Border (IB) in Jammu sector has been witnessed after 1971 war and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi must take up border firing issue strongly with the Pakistani Government.
Mr Azad, who arrived here from the Union capital this morning straightway reached the Govt Medical College Hospital and inquired about the health condition of 35 persons injured in Pakistani firing/ shelling. He also directed the hospital authorities to provide best possible treatment to the injured persons.
Talking to media persons during his whirlwind visit to the affected villages of Arnia and RS Pura, Mr Azad said that worst ever situation along the international border in Jammu sector has been witnessed after 1971 war. He said with the firing five innocent persons have been killed and over 35 injured. Many houses have been damaged and people from over score of the villages have been forced to take shelter in safer areas and bunkers. The people are spending sleepless nights and have lost many cattle in the shelling.
“The Modi Government must take up the issue strongly with the Pakistani authorities. The act of Pakistani forces to target innocent civilians is highly condemnable. I will personally take up this issue with the Prime Minister and the Union Defence Minister,” Mr Azad maintained.
Launching scathing attack on the BJP leadership and especially on Modi, the AICC leader said that during last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leaders used to call Dr Manmohan Singh as weak leader and taught lessons to maintain tough stance against Pakistan. They used to say, “Hum Pakistan Se Nazar Mila Ke Baat Karenge”. Now, shelling and ceasefire violations have become routine and this is highest ever after 1971. People are living under the fear of gun. Now why BJP Government and their Prime Minister is maintaining silence and not acting as the situation demands. He alleged that there was difference between the words and deeds of the BJP leaders. The issue must be taken up strongly and seriously by Modi Government with the neighbouring country and all possible efforts should be made to restore peace along borders.
“BJP and its leadership has relegated this serious issue to the level of issuing press statements and uninspiring rhetoric and the people of this country and J&K State are waiting for translation of those all tall claims into action,” Mr Azad said.
Lamenting that the Prime Minister is more concerned about electioneering and being visible in the media, Azad said that it would be more appropriate and befitting on the part of Prime Minister to pay attention to the grave issues of national security and governance rather than spending his time on less important issues.
Referring to the demand of the people to provide plots to them at the safer places within 5 to 7 kms border belt, Mr Azad said when he was State Chief Minister he had proposed 5 marla plots for the border villagers of this R S Pura, Bishnah belt. He had even directed the then DC Jammu who had also identified the land. The people from Khour and Pallanwalla were provided the plots at safer zones but the demand of these people from R S Pura and Bishnah could not be fulfilled as his Government was not allowed to complete its term by the then coalition partner- PDP. Mr Azad said that he would ask his Party Cabinet Ministers to take up this issue strongly with the coalition partner (NC).
Mr Azad strongly supported the demand of the people of plots at safer zones and said that he would personally take up the issue with the Union Home Minister as well. He also supported the demand of the affected people that this 5 km belt along IB be declared as Backward Area. He said the demand of people of this area to launch special recruitment drive for local youth in para-military forces would be taken up with the concerned ministry. He also sought an end to the disparity in ex-gratia/ relief for those killed in Pakistani firing and urged the State Government to immediately take necessary steps for addressing this humanitarian issues.
Mr Azad also visited the houses of those killed in the firing and extended his condolences and also met many families whose houses have been badly damaged in Pakistani shelling. He also assured all possible help from the State Government.
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Sports Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Finance, Cooperatives, Elections and Fisheries Dr Manohar Lal, Ex-MPs Madan Lal Sharma and Janak Raj Gupta, former Ministers Gulchain Singh Charak, Yogesh Sawhney, S Manjit Singh, former vice chairman of J&K Legislative Council Amrinder Singh Micky and senior PCC leaders Vinod Mishra, Vinod Sharma, Maheshwar Singh, Darshan Raina and Namrata Sharma also accompanied.
Mr Azad later, arrived directly to the Airport and returned to the Union capital in the afternoon.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel