Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Mar 5: While indefinite bandh continued in the township of Nowshera on the 18th consecutive day today for seeking district status, the Joint Action Committee launched relay hunger strike today, whereas, Sunderbani and Kalakote towns of district Rajouri also observed bandh in support of their demand of Additional Deputy Commissioner’s posts.
A large number of people held protest at Nowshera and Sunderbani towns today in support of their demand. At Nowshera town people, under the banner of Joint Action Committee, comprising members from various political parties, Beopar Mandal, Bar Association, Sanatan Dharam Sabha and some other social and youth organizations took out protest rally in the main market. They were shouting slogans against BJP-PDP Government, BJP Ministers/ legislators and also in support of their demand of seeking full fledged district for Nowshera.
Today 12–members sat on relay hunger strike at Nowshera town at the dharna site. In the evening the condition of an elderly member Pt Narinder Sharma deteriorated. He was shifted to Sub District Hospital, Nowshera.
Several local leaders addressed the gathering at the venue and criticized the BJP leadership and State Government for its negative attitude. Several small towns of the area like, Jhangar, Qila Darhal, Kalsian, Bhawani, Lamberi etc are also observing bandh.
Meanwhile, people at Sunderbani town observed complete bandh and held protest demonstration today and shouted slogans against BJP-PDP Govt. The JAC has decided to observe two- days’ bandh in the town which has been extended for two more days. A protest rally was taken out which after passing through main market culminated in Tehsil office complex. Several local leaders also addressed the gathering.
Sunderbani JAC convener, Ashwani Sharma said that BJP leadership has totally failed to resolve the issue and they have surrendered before PDP. He said Sunderbani bandh has been extended for two more days.
Meanwhile, Kalakote town also observed bandh on the third day seeking ADC’s post. Entire market remained closed in the town while vehicles plied on the roads normally. The Kalakote JAC has also warned to intensify the agitation. They have also launched protest dharna in the main market.
Meanwhile, a delegation of JAC/ Beopar Mandal Nowshera called on Dy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and some ministers at Jammu and took up the matter with them. They have assured to solve the issue.
A delegation of Beopar Mandal and prominent citizens of Nowshera led by legislators Ravinder Raina and Surinder Kumar Choudhary today called on Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Tribal Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali to apprise him of their issues related to establishing of Nowshera as a new district.
The Minister assured the delegation that their matter would be taken up with the Chief Minister for consideration and urged upon them to call off their strike keeping in view the prevailing situation in border areas, closing of the current financial year and examinations going on in the area.
Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli has said that the Government was aware of the facts and demands of the people of Nowshera, Kalakote and Sunderbani Constituencies and committed to address these on priority.
The Minister was interacting with a BJP deputation from Kalakote led by Dr Ashok Sharma who called on him here today. The deputation discussed various developmental issues related to Kalakote Constituency including outbreak of bandh in these Constituencies and called for immediate steps to resolve the ongoing stalemate.
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