Cong to launch agitation against rise in terrorism
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 17: The Congress Party in J&K will launch agitation from Friday against the failure of the BJP-led Government to control rising militant activities and its decision to give extra powers to the Lt Governor in J&K ahead of the Assembly elections here.
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Talking to the media-persons here today, former Union Minister and AICC Incharge J&K affairs of the party, Bharatsinh Solanki and JKPCC chief Vikar Rasool Wani declared that Congress will launch agitation at all the districts against the rising terrorist activities and according more powers to the Lt Governor in J&K and snatching of powers of Chief Minister and the Legislative Assembly.
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“The agitation will start at the provincial level and then taken to the district and block levels across the Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days,” they disclosed.
“We will also press for the restoration of Statehood before the 1Supreme Court’s September 30 deadline for the holding of Assembly elections,” Solanki said.
AICC leader slammed the BJP–led Union Government for giving more powers to the Lt Governor and said the BJP wants to continue its proxy rule even after the much-awaited Assembly elections.
“Giving powers to Lt Governor means rendering an elected government powerless. BJP has already destroyed this historic State by snatching Statehood, special status and other rights. They have failed to curb terrorism and are aware of losing the next Assembly elections,” the AICC leader said.
Solanki said the Congress wants restoration of full statehood before the holding of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the Supreme Court set deadline.
“There is a difference between saying and doing in BJP. They are utilising power to remain in power so that they can exploit the people and the resources of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The AICC leader claimed that 11 terrorist attacks in the past 78 days and the killing of over 50 soldiers since October 2021 across the Jammu region have created a fear psychosis among the people. There is no peace at all and the people, specially in the far flung villages are terrorized.
“We are concerned about the prevailing security situation. The Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister have no words to express grief over the loss of lives including that of civilians and pilgrims,” Solanki added.
He said all the claims of wiping out terrorism by the BJP after coming to power in 2014 have fallen flat as it has completely failed to tackle the security situation.
“Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister made a beeline to J&K to address public rallies in Parliamentary elections which were held in a peaceful atmosphere. As the days for Assembly elections come near, there is a spurt in terror activities creating doubts in the minds of the people,” he said.
“We appeal to the Government to end terrorism and create a conducive atmosphere for the coming elections,” he said.
Solanki also criticised the BJP Government for giving unbridled powers to Lt Governor of J&K ahead of the Assembly elections and said such an elected Government in J&K would be like a Municipality with the Chief Minister having virtually ‘no powers’.
“The Delhi Government is a glaring example of this. It used to be the case during the British rule. They kept the local Governments powerless. Congress will fight for the restoration of statehood, snatched powers and restoration of peace,” he asserted.
Reacting on winning of 9 seats by INDIA Bloc in the recently held by-elections out of total 11, Solanki said BJP could secure just 2 seats and it is going to happen in J&K and other States where Assembly elections are going to be held shortly. “ The people want change and it is happening gradually,” Solanki said.
While criticising the BJP for “destroying the historic State” over the last 10 years of its rule at the Centre, JKPCC chief Vikar Rasool Wani said Jammu was cleared of militancy during the Congress-led UPA Government but the BJP has completely failed to provide security to the people who are gripped by fear due to the revival of terrorism.
“When they (BJP) were out of power before 2014, they were asking Congress that you have BSF, Army and police and why you are not able to wipe out terrorism. Today, I am asking the same question as terrorism is back in Jammu region, why they are unable to wipe out terrorism,” he said.
While campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls that concluded recently, the BJP made tall claims about ending terrorism to mislead the people and get their votes, he said, adding that “nearly a dozen terror attacks have taken place in the Jammu region this year.”
Congress wants terrorism to end so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can live in peace. In this context, a massive agitation is being launched by Congress from Friday, he added.
Solanki was also accompanied by AICC secretary Manoj Yadav, JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla and JKPCC senior vice president and chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma.
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