Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 29: In a unique but very important initiative a large cross section of Dogras from all walks of life, various political affiliations and divergent socio economic backgrounds and religious faiths got together at Dogra Bhawan, Dogra Hall.
The purpose was to keep Jammu peacefully united and discuss the challenges to their traditionally peaceful understanding and a loving secular brotherhood. The meeting was convened by the Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) president and former minister Th Gulchain Singh Charak. Prominent citizens from all walks of life, political parties, social and traders organizations were invited to get together and ponder over the existing conditions of Jammu region that are showing signs of worsening
This unique meeting joined by political and social stalwarts and senior military veterans had thread bare discussion about the prevailing conditions and security threats in the State. They smelled a conspiracy behind the various incidents to create unrest in this region. Speakers felt that the forces inimical to peace want to disturb this region and create Kashmir like conditions here.
Charak appreciated the concern shown by the Chief Minister about the protection of border population and creation of Shelter Bhawans as demanded by DSS. He added that this must not remain only in planning and the implementation must be taken up on war footing. Some members brought out the need for Govt paid insurance of crops and cattle heads as also of costly agriculture equipments like tractors, thrashers etc. The casualties due to Pakistan shelling should be compensated at par with terror victim said the former minister.
The members appreciated the idea of raising a battalion of troops enrolled from the border areas. War veteran Col Virendra K Sahi, brought out the misery of disturbed education and fear of the idle senior students going hay wire. There is rampant drug supply in the border areas which must be checked sternly, since the boys can fall prey to the temptations and thereafter lured to other crimes like in Kashmir. He called upon parents, teachers and the Army veterans to join hands to save these children from evil exposures.
Senior leaders from the Panthers Party Harsh Dev Singh and Balwant Singh Mankotia spoke at length on rampant discrimination against Jammu region and that the Jammu youth is faced with unemployment and being forced to migrate to other states.
The Sunjwan attack, incident of Rassana (Kathua), the grenade attack on police at Jammu Bus Stand all in a chain are aimed at discouraging religious tourism during Amarnath Yatra and thereby hit the Jammu economy. They said that the unilateral cease fire will have adverse impact on Eid celebrations and the Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Ex- MLC asked all Jammuiets to cut across all kind of differences to meet these grave challenges and unite.
Prominent among the speakers were Prem Sagar Gupta, Col Karan Singh Jamwal, Prof NK Dogra, Brig MS Jamwal, Santosh Mangotra, Sayed Amanat Ali Shah, Anil Padha, Zorawar Singh, OP Gupta, Qadir Hussain,Yashpaul Gupta, Dr Raghubhir Singh and others.
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