Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 1: Various political, trade, transport, social and youth organizations held strong protest demonstrations across the region against BJP leadership for denial of full fledged AIIMS to Jammu.
The National Conference functionaries and workers staged a demonstration at Gole Market Gandhi Nagar as a mark of solidarity and in support of the demand with regard to full fledged AIIMS for Jammu. Raising slogans against the dubious BJP stand and diversionary tactics of the Centre and the Coalition Government, they torched an effigy to show anger of the people.
The protest march was led by District president Urban Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Youth National Conference president Jammu Ajaz Jan and Provincial president Women Wing, Satwant Dogra.
Assailing the contemptuous response of the Centre and the PDP-BJP Government in the State towards most popular demand of the Jammu people with regard to establishment of AIIMS, Provincial president of NC for Jammu, Devender Singh Rana, questioned that if two such institutes can be granted to Bihar in one go, why not to Jammu and Kashmir which needs more due to its topographical conditions and lack of health infrastructure. He said grant of two AIIMS to J&K is not favour but a necessity due to sensitivities involved in the matter and circumstances prevailing in the State.
Mr Rana also condemned the police lathi-charge on peaceful members of AIIMS Coordination Committee and described the police action as unwarranted and unfortunate.
Mr Jamwal reiterated the party’s demand for an additional and separate Institute for Jammu while hailing the decision with regard to its establishment in the Kashmir Valley. He said diluting the demand by announcing AIIMS like facility for Jammu will not be acceptable to the people.
Ajaz Jan castigated BJP for taking the people of Jammu for granted and said that the time is not far when the party will have to pay for betraying the electors who bestowed them a massive mandate in the assembly elections. Satwant Dogra also addressed the protesters.
National Panthers Party activists led by Harshdev Singh and Yash Pal Kundal- both former Ministers held protest demonstration near Press Club here today demanding setting up of full fledged AIIMS in Jammu. A large number of NPP activists assembled at Dogra Chowk and held strong protest. They were carrying banners and placards in their hands depicting demand- “Jammu ka AIIMS Jammu Ko Do, …BJP Hai Hai….BJP Jhutha Parchar Band Karo Band Karo ….”
Later, they burnt the effigies of all the 26 BJP MLAs one by one and shouted loud slogans, demanding their resignation.
Harshdev and Mr Kundal also addressed the gathering and criticized the BJP leadership for its total sell out and surrender. They alleged that BJP has been exposed on the issue of AIIMS and now it is trying to gag the voice of Jammu people and using brutal police force. They also condemned the police action on people agitating for AIIMS and alleged that it is being done on behest of BJP leaders including Nirmal Singh, Dr Jitendra Singh, Jugal Kishore, Bali Bhagat, Kavinder Gupta, Sukhnandan Choudhary, Chander Parkash and others. They appealed the people to show their place to these leaders in next elections.
In Udhampur, a large protest demonstration was held by NPP workers under the leadersnhip of Ex-MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia. The party workers and large number of locals organised protest rally which passed through various markets of the town. The party workers were raising slogans against BJP leaders and demanding AIIMS in Jammu region.
Congress activists led by PCC chief spokesman and Ex-MLC Ravinder Sharma held strong protest demonstration and then took out rally in Sunderbani town. They also torched the effigy of Dy CM Nirmal Singh and criticized the party leadership for deceiving the people of Jammu region on the issue of AIIMS. He said the people of Jammu have realized the reality as the BJP stood exposed before them.
Youth Congress activists also held strong protest outside the Houses of Health Minister Ch Lal Singh and Speakers Kavinder Gupta in Jammu today. The PYC workers led by Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha president Charanjit Singh assembled outside the residence/ office of Kavinder Gupta (MLA Gandhi Nagar) and then Ch Lal Singh’s residence at Gandhi Nagar near Church. The speakers alleged that BJP has deceived the people of Jammu. Later, they also blocked Tawi bridge for some time and held protest on road.
In Kathua, the Bar Association and Coordination Committee members held strong protest and blocked Court Road. They also torched the effigy of Dy CM Dr Nirmal Singh. They were raising slogans against the Government and State BJP leaders for befooling the people of Jammu. Advocates Ajat Shatru Sharma, Anil Kalotra and several others addressed the gathering.
Bar Association Samba led by Sukhdev Singh Sambyal also held strong protest and raised slogans against BJP. They extended full support to AIIMS Coordination Committee. Bar Association Reasi led by Adv Vijay Sharma also took out protest rally and held demonstration in the town.
Bar Association Ramban and local Beopar Mandal members also held protest and burnt effigy of BJP leaders over the issue of AIIMS. Arjun Singh Bar president Ramban, Amrit Versha -local leader and Bhushan Gupta Beopar Mandal president addressed the gathering. Later, the rally moved to the office of Dy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum.
The activists of NDP also held protest and torched the effigy of Dy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh over the issue of AIIMS in Gandhi Nagar constituency. President of the party, Ravi Bakshi addressed the gathering and strongly warned the BJP leadership to stop the politics of deceit and false-hood. He alleged that BJP has betrayed the mandate of Jammu people and the Jammu people have now made up their mind to show all the 26 MLAs of the party their place in next elections.
Jammu West Assembly Movement also held protest demonstration under the leadership of Sunil Dimple at New Plot and strongly criticized the BJP leadership for total surrender on the issue of AIIMS.
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