BSF men’s killing sparks protests in Jammu

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 13

The killing of four BSF personnel in a fresh ceasefire violation on the International Border sparked protests and drew sharp criticism from political parties and social groups in the winter capital on Wednesday.

The protesting groups asked the BJP-led NDA government “to act strongly against the treacherous Pakistan” to prevent killings of border residents and troops.

In a statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) condemned Pakistan’s “treacherous attitude” in resorting to heavy shelling on Tuesday night despite commitment of its Director General of Military Operations to maintain ceasefire.

JKPCC president GA Mir and other senior Congress leaders said, “Pakistan’s cowardly action needs to be condemned in the strongest possible words, as it has time and again resorted to ceasefire violations.”

“Pakistan’s repeated treacherous acts during the holy month of Ramzan also show that it is taking advantage of lack of clear policy of the Modi government towards the neigbouring country,” they said.

Dubbing Pakistan as a “threat to peace” in South Asia, Panthers Party activists staged a demonstration.

Led by Harsh Dev Singh, chairman of the party, the protesters burned the effigy of the BJP for its “timid silence” against Pakistan’s repeated ceasefire violations.

“Pakistan has not changed its ways as it has resorted to attacks on the BSF as well as civilians living in the border hamlets even after giving repeated assurances to hold fire,” he said while seeking an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the terror trail of Pakistan in J&K.

Similarly, workers of the Dogra Front, led by president Ashok Gupta, held a protest and burned the Pakistani flag against unprovoked firing. Gupta said the Centre should take strong action against Islamabad.

Activists of the Jammu West Assembly Movement (JWAM) also staged a protest and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan. JWAM president Sunil Dimple demanded that the Prime Minister should visit the border belts of the Jammu region to assess the ground situation.