AIIMS CC calls for 72 hour Jammu bandh from July 31

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, July 24: AIIMS Coordination Committee, which has been spearheading the ongoing movement for the setting up of separate AIIMS in Jammu, today gave a 72 hour bandh call beginning from July 31.
This was announced by the convener of the Coordination Committee and president Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Abhinav Sharma while addressing the meeting of Coordination Committee here today. The meting which was held to discuss future course of action due to the failure of the Government to fulfill its promise made with the ACC regarding establishment of AIIMS in Jammu resolved that the Jammu region will observe complete three day bandh from July 31 to August 2. The AIIMS CC also decided to organize a massive Lalkar rally in Jammu city, tomorrow morning, which will be followed by a candle light protest march before July 30.
The members in the meeting were unanimous on the decision of 72 hour long Jammu bandh which will serve an ultimatum to both Union as well as State Governments against its delaying decision on establishment of separate AIIMS for Jammu as the people of region have no such specialized medical facilities as compared to Kashmir valley where already a premier medical institute in the name of SKIMS exists.
Addressing the members of the AIIMS CC, Abhinav Sharma said the 26 MLAs from BJP and the Ministers have forced the AIIMS CC to take recourse to three day bandh, coupled with Lalkar rally and candle light protest march. The party which got such a massive mandate from Jammu region, could have averted the path that left the AIIMS CC with no option but to intensify its agitation. “They are responsible for brining us on roads for full-fledged and result oriented agitation,’’ he added.
He said the meeting resolved that no further discrimination will be tolerated with Jammu region and all the constituents of ACC during the meeting were unanimous on it also.
He also made an appeal to the people to make the three day long bandh , Lalkar rally and candle light procession a grand success and make the people In the corridors of power to realize both at Delhi and in the State that they can’t take people of Jammu and Ladakh regions for granted.
Speaking on the occasion, former President of the JKHCBA, B S Salathia said that people of Jammu feel insulted by the role of the Government over the issue as two of the Ministers failed to keep their promise. He asserted that the people of the region are destined to achieve their stated goal and expose and isolate the anti-Jammu forces whosoever they are and wherever they are.
President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rakesh Gupta and President of Transporters Associations, T S Wazir, declared that the entire Jammu region is united and the business leaders and those engaged in other professions like transport were, are and shall always be at the beck and call of the AIIMS CC. Others who spoke on the occasion were former President of the Bar Ashok Vijay Gupta, Narayan Singh, Advocate Rajesh Thapa, Ajay Chrungoo, Dr CL Gupta and retired Sessions Judge Paviter Singh. Meanwhile, the work in the Courts across the region remained suspended on the call given by the JKHCBA. Courts in Jammu, Kathua , Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur remained paralysed today.
Besides, those who sat on the chain hunger strike on the fourth day were president All J&K Dalit Chetna Manch, Sham Lal Bassan, Bihari Lal Bhagat, Ram Lal Dogra, Dr Kuldeep Raj, Narinder Bhagat, R C Menia, Purshotam Thappa, M R Bangotra, Kesar Singh, Sawarna Bhagat, Harvinder Kour, Babli, Karuna, Kiran Bala, Kamlesh Gupta, Mangat Ram, Rashpal Bhardwaj, Om Prakash, Sham Lal, Rattan Lal, Sudhir Katyal, Advocates Akash Gupta, Abhishek Wazir and Brij Mohan.They were led by former President of the JKHCBA Ved Raj Wazir. Among others who addressed the dharna included president SKUASTJ, Vikas Sharma, Panun Kashmir leader Dr Agnishekhar, Sardar Rajinder Singh, vice-president, Lower Raghunath Bazaar Association, Dheeraj Pargal, Chairman Jammu Adhikar Manch, Rajkumar, Sunita Sharma and Kamla Sharma.
Meanwhile, various organizations have extended full support to 72 hour Jammu bandh call. They included Shiv Sena Balasahib Thackeray. The Party president Dimpy Kohli and its general secretary have criticized the BJP leaders for not keeping their word on AIIMS issue and sought resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh and Forest Minister, Bali Bhagat.
The activists of the organization also staged a protest demonstration at Bari Brahmana under the leadership of Raj Singh and Raju Salaria.
JSM general secretary and spokesperson Er Chander Uday Sharma also accused BJP of betraying people and forgetting the principles which were dear to Dr Shayama Prasad Mookherjee.
Members of Bar Association Kishtwar under the presidentship of advocate I A Hamal decided to suspend the work for seven days in the courts in support of the call given by J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu for establishment of separate AIIMS for the region.
Bar Association Samba also decided to suspend work from today to July 30 in support of BAJ Jammu call and extended full support to AIIMS CC in its ongoing movement.

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