Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Feb 15: Lambasting the BJP for betraying and disempowering the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra today reiterated the demand of restoring Statehood without any delay.
Addressing the largely attended district convention at Poonch today as part of 15-day long Abhiyan “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq” besides the nationwide “Jai Bapu,Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan”, campaign launched by the party to expose BJP and its sister concerns, Karra regretted that instead of fulfilling the demand of restoring Statehood, the BJP-led Government at the Centre has indulged into deceitful tactics to befool the people.
“Patience of the people is running out and residents of Jammu and Kashmir will not tolerate such tactics of BJP”, he warned and said that the Congress has launched campaign to mount pressure on the Central Government to fulfill its commitment to restore Statehood.
Karra also criticized the BJP for neglecting the border belt of Poonch-Rajouri in matters of railway and road connectivity, infrastructure development, employment & overall governance during its ten-year rule.
While responding to the demands raised by the Congress leaders, Karra called for a special development package for the Poonch-Rajouri border belt. He emphasized that the people of this region serve as the country’s first line of defense but have been systematically neglected in terms of employment opportunities, infrastructure expansion, and crucial connectivity projects like Railway and expansion of Mughal road projects of UPA Govt.
Karra underscored the dire need for the expansion of the Mughal Road, particularly the long-pending construction of a tunnel to transform it into an all-weather road link between Poonch and Kashmir.
He lamented the BJP Government’s failure to address this critical demand, which has severely impacted the economic and logistical lifelines of the region.
Additionally, he expressed regret over the closure of cross-LoC trade due to Pakistan’s non-cooperation and other objectionable activities. He noted that cross-LoC trade was a vital source of economic sustenance for local area and urged the government to explore all possibilities for its resumption to boost the region’s economy.
Highlighting the need for a Special Development & Employment Package, PCC chief regretted the neglect of Poonch in infrastructure, road connectivity, healthcare, and education. He demanded immediate interventions to uplift the district and ensure equitable development.
Working presidents of JKPCC Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla, AICC Secretary Shah Nawaz Chaudhary, ex-MP Ch Lal Singh, ex-Chairman Legislative Council Jahangir Hussain Mir, DCC president Rajinder Singh Kaka, DDC Riyaz Chaudhary, Azaz Chaudhary, IYC secretary, Ricky Dalotra, and other leaders also addressed the convention.
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