Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has alleged that security scenario and condition of roads have worsened in the J&K State after taking over by new Government.
Mr Azad, who was on six-day visit of Doda-Kishtwar extensively travelled the entire area and held interactions with the people. The people projected their issues but it was major demand to improve roads in the interiors of Doda and Kishtwar districts. There is no maintenance/ repair of the roads and the people have been facing lot of hardships specially in Chenab region.
Lamenting the deplorable condition of all the roads of the region, including NH- 1B, Azad said this is for the first time, no maintenance work is being carried out on the roads, especially the National Highway 1B which is the lifeline of Chenab the region.
“Ever since the BJP- led Govt has taken over at the Centre, NH1B has gone off the radar of the authorities, and its condition has worsened so rapidly and severely”, said Azad.
The top AICC leader said that frequent landslides caused by the persistent rains have not been properly cleared for months on the roads, making them dangerously narrow and inconvenient for the commuters.
“NH1B gives the look of a ravaged, forgotten and abandoned road as if it is of no use for the State”, said Azad adding that this speaks volumes about the commitment of the BJP-led Central Govt to the welfare and betterment of people of the State.
He further said that the closure of Doda-Bhaderwah road continuously for 10 days demonstrates the apathy and neglect of the area in ample measure.
“Such a scenario is unthinkable that a minor landslide is not cleared for ten days. Journey on the roads has become no less than an ordeal”, Azad said.
Drawing the attention of Chief Minister, Azad called for immediate restoration and maintenance of all the roads of the State, including the all-important National Highways so that the hardships faced by the people are alleviated to some extent.
Azad also expressed grave concern on the worsening security situation and sudden and sharp rise in the incidents of the militancy in the State. He said that broad daylight attacks are once again being carried out in the State and it seems we are back to nineties as far as militancy and violence is concerned.
“What is more frightening is the joining of militant ranks by local youth after the BJP-led Government came to power at the Centre”, said Azad.
Questioning the policies of BJP-led Central Govt, Azad said that people are deeply worried about the heightened violence and terror acts in the State and there is a pressing need to take immediate steps to arrest the worrisome slide in security scenario.
Expressing disappointment over the abrupt withdrawal of security of the Congress party leaders, office bearers and workers across the State, Azad said this smacks of vendetta and political revenge being perpetrated by the authorities concerned.
He also said that the security complement of the PCC president and senior leaders across the State has been downgraded without any rationale.
“Our leaders and workers have been in the fore-front to deepen and strengthen the democratic forces in the State, and this arbitrary and sudden move has made them ‘sitting ducks’ in the worsened security scenario”, said Azad adding that he will soon take up the matter with Chief Minister of J&K and Home Minister of India.
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