Massive anti-Pakistan protests in Jammu

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 19

A day after the terror attack on the Uri Army base that claimed the lives of 18 soldiers, anger spilled onto streets across Jammu today with protesting groups demanding a stern and befitting reply against Pakistan for “sponsoring terrorists” in Jammu and Kashmir.

The protesters also castigated the policies of the BJP-led NDA government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in dealing with terrorists and anti-nationals in the state.

Work in all courts, including the High Court and sub-ordinate courts, remained affected on a call given by J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu. The protesting lawyers suspended work and paid tributes to the bravehearts killed at Uri. Condolence meetings were held in the High Court and district courts to pay homage to the martyred soldiers.

The lawyers, in one voice, while condemning the dastardly act of terrorists demanded a stern action against the perpetrators of terrorism. They said, “Only lip service and mere statements” would not suffice to address the problem. “We are with the family of bravehearts who made supreme sacrifice for the nation,” said Pranab Kohli, a senior lawyer.

Students of various institutions, including Jammu University, Government MAM Post Graduate College and Government SPMR College of Commerce, boycotted their classes and held demonstrations against Pakistan for fomenting trouble in the state.

Jammu University students, under the banner of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), organised a Tiranga Rally from the campus up to Bikram Chowk. Around 500 students of Jammu University took part in the rally. They urged the Central and state governments to give a strong reply to anti-national forces. The students also took out a candle march to show their solidarity with the Army men.

Similarly, students of other degree colleges held demonstrations demanding “attack on terror camps” operating in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Young students of various private schools also held prayers and paid tributes to the martyred soldiers.

On the political front, activists of various mainstream parties condemned the attack and demanded a “direct attack on terror camps operating in PoK.”

Dubbing Pakistan as a threat to peace in South Asia, Panthers Party activists staged a protest. Led by Harsh Dev Singh, chairman JKNPP, and Yash Paul Kundal, state president Young Panthers, the protesters accused Pakistan of pushing fidayeen to carry out terror attacks on security personnel besides endorsing support to the secessionists in Kashmir. They raised anti-Pak slogans at Exhibition Ground here.

J&K Pradesh Congress Committee leaders expressed solidarity with the families of martyred jawans and extended heartfelt condolences to them.

Kathua district also saw protests with activists of several parties burning flags and effigies of Pakistan.

The District Congress Committee, under the leadership of Subash Gupta, staged a protest at Mukherjee Chowk in Kathua town and burnt an effigy of Pakistan.

Shiv Sena and Dogra Front activists also burnt a Pakistani flag and held demonstrations in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The Bar Association also suspended work.

In Billawer and Hiranagar tehsils, protests were reported at different places.

The Jammu West Assembly Movement (JWAM) also staged a protest and demanded that a free hand should be given to the armed forces to deal with “terror state like Pakistan” effectively.

Condemning the “outrageous and cowardly attack” by terrorists, office-bearers and senior members of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Jammu, termed it was an attack on the unity and integrity of the nation.

They said in this hour of challenge, the entire nation was behind the security forces to defeat the nefarious designs of the enemy. The chamber requested the Bazaar Associations to arrange condolence meetings to condole the deaths of the brave soldiers by lighting candles in their respective areas.

The Beopar Mandal Vijaypur also staged a protest and demanded a direct attack on Pakistan to end the terrorism on the Indian soil.