To express anger against the failure of the Union Territory administration to save the lives of the peace-loving citizens, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a protest on Friday against the recent back-to-back militant attacks in the Jammu region.
The PDP leaders demanded an explanation for the “alarming” security situation, contradicting the government’s claims of restored peace in the Union Territory.
Between Sunday and Wednesday, militants attacked four places in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda districts in Jammu province, resulting in the deaths of ten people, including nine pilgrims and a CRPF jawan. The attacks also injured seven security personnel, 41 pilgrims, and a villager.
“The faith of the people has completely shattered after four militant attacks within 72 hours. Except for giving statements authorities have done nothing to restore the confidence of the people”, PDP leaders said and added that recent incidents in Hiranagar, Reasi, and Doda have exposed tall claims of the authorities.
“Protecting the lives of the people is not the priority of the UT administration. Instead of strengthening law and order in the Jammu region, authorities are more concerned about protecting the interests of liquor and sand mafia in Jammu region”, PDP leaders said and regretted that on the one hand crime rate has increased in Jammu region while on the militants striking in this part of the Union Territory after repeated intervals.
The protest, led by senior leaders saw dozens of party workers march from the PDP office in Gandhi Nagar. The protesters broke through police barricades and briefly held a sit-in near the Jammu airport road before returning to their office.
“We are concerned about the alarming security situation in Jammu ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. The attacks reflect a security failure,” PDP leaders said.
They pointed out that while Jammu had been peaceful, the recent terror attacks suggest a revival of militancy despite the central government’s claims of normalcy. “What kind of normalcy is this? The people of Jammu are frightened by the increase in terror activities. The government should wake up from its deep slumber and ensure that terrorism is wiped out,” they said.
PDP leaders further said that that the party supports the government in its fight against militancy. However, they criticized the government for claiming that terrorism had been eradicated following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
They pointed out that new areas, even in the previously peaceful Jammu region, are now experiencing militant activities, which they described as a government failure.
“We are against the scourge of terrorism, which has badly affected Jammu and Kashmir for the last 30 years. The terrorists are enemies of humanity,” PDP leaders said. They urged the government to stop “doing politics” and instead focus on eradicating militancy.
They accused the government of making empty promises. They questioned, “What kind of new J&K is this where militancy has spread to new areas of the previously peaceful Jammu region?”
Sat pal Charak , Rajinder Manhas (Additional General Secretary), Sukhwinder Singh (Sr Leader), Sunil Bhat (President Migrant Cell) Varinder singh Sonu (Spokesperson PDP) Aditya Gupta (Vice president PDP Youth), Ranbir Singh Manga, Ch. Chuni Lal, Swarn Singh Shanty, Dalip Baru (District president Jammu), Rajat Gupta (General Secretary Youth ), Balbir Singh, Sohit Sharma, D.K. Magotra, Harmeet Singh, Joginder Singh district President Kathua, Sachin Bhagat, Ajeet Kumar, Ankush Dubey,Ashok Singh Chib, Naveen Chandel, Rajiv Dharmat, Rajinder Tinku, Saqib Malik, Rajinder Jamwal, Vimal Sharma and others spoke on occasion.
