Bandh halts life across Jammu : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Bandh halts life across Jammu

JAMMU: People across the Jammu region observed a complete shutdown in protest against the PDP-BJP government’s proposed move to set up AIIMS in Kashmir and the decision to shelve the project of an artificial lake on the Tawi.

Bandh halts life across Jammu

A protester during the bandh in Jammu on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: Inderjeet Singh



Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, May 27

People across the Jammu region observed a complete shutdown in protest against the PDP-BJP government’s proposed move to set up AIIMS in Kashmir and the decision to shelve the project of an artificial lake on the Tawi.

The shutdown threw life out of gear. The shutdown coincided with the visit of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who came to highlight the achievements of the BJP on completion of one year of Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

The BJP had won 25 seats from the Jammu region in the last Assembly elections held in November and December last year.

Commercial transport remained off the road in the winter capital today. As a result, passengers, including Vaishno Devi pilgrims, faced immense hardships in reaching their respective destinations. Even the BJP bastion in the city, Jammu East and Jammu West seats, observed a complete bandh.

People in the winter capital extended full support to the bandh call given by the AIIMS Coordination Committee, an amalgam of 70 social, religious, trade and transport organisations. The Bar Association of Jammu had been spearheading the campaign.

Traders and industrialists kept their shutters down and transport vehicles, including buses, minibuses and autorickshaws, remained off the road. The attendance in government offices was thin while educational institutions remained closed.

Supporters of the bandh took out processions and held demonstrations against the state government, especially targeting BJP ministers for allegedly playing second fiddle to the PDP in the ruling alliance.

“Public transport is not plying and as a result, we have to check into Sarawasti Dham near the railway station. We will leave for Katra tomorrow,” said Anil Rotkar, a native of Pune, who had come with his family to visit Vaishno Devi.

The president of the Bar Association of Jammu, Abhinav Sharma, said people of the Jammu region had no objection if Kashmir got an AIIMS as well, but Jammu, for which the Centre had announced it during the Budget in Parliament, would get it first.

The bandh was complete across the region. The president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rakesh Gupta, said BJP ministers in the PDP-BJP government should come clean on two issues, AIIMS and artificial lake.

“They cannot maintain criminal silence and act like dictators. They should enter into a dialogue with us. The people of Jammu, who gave them 25 seats in the Assembly polls, cannot be betrayed like this,” he said.

Members of the AIIMS Coordination Committee reached KK Resorts to register their protest before Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was scheduled to address a public rally at the venue. After the protest, they dispersed peacefully.

State BJP chief’s political adviser joins protests

Much to the chagrin of BJP ministers, Prof Hari Om, political adviser to the state BJP president, and a  number of other BJP leaders took part in demonstrations during the bandh. Many local BJP and RSS leaders who are members of the AIIMS Coordination Committee staged vociferous protests. When contacted, Prof Hari Om said, “No doubt, I am a BJP man. At the same time, I an Indian and a responsible citizen of Jammu. I believe that Jammu legitimately deserves AIIMS and the artificial lake. Today’s bandh was forced on the people of Jammu by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. He instigated the people of Jammu when he announced shelving the artificial lake project and taking AIIMS to Kashmir in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh at a press conference.” “It is time for the party to take a firm stand. Otherwise the BJP, which got 25 seats in the Assembly polls, may become history in the next elections. You cannot take your voters for a ride,” said a vocal BJP MLA on the condition of anonymity.

Top News

Relief for Delhi CM, High Court bins plea for his ouster

Relief for Delhi CM, High Court bins plea for his ouster

Special court extends Kejriwal’s ED custody till April 1


Cities

View All