* Irate people, GREF labourers block road for over 7 hrs
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 13: A large number of people from Bani area including BJP activists, GREF labourers today held strong protest demonstration against Forest Minister Ch Lal Singh and Forest Department staff for seizure of the machinery and two tippers of GREF authorities engaged on Basohli- Bani Road and stalled movement of the vehicles on the road for about seven hours.
Entire market and schools in the township of Bani remained closed today to lodge protest against the Forest staff and the concerned minister, for their act leading to stoppage of road work on Basohli- Bani road. Not only this, the local College and Higher Secondary schools students also joined the protest and remained at the site raising loud slogans against Forest Minister, Chief Conservator of Forests, Conservator of Forests Jammu East Circle Navin Shah and DFO Basohli.
MLA Bani also from BJP, Jeevan Lal later joined the people sitting on protest dharna on the road and termed the decision of the minister as unfortunate. He said that hundreds of poor labourers of the area have lost their job due to this act of the Forest Minister and his staff. The people of Bani want development and work on this road is going on for the last more than two decades. About 15 more roads have been sanctioned under PMGSY in the area recently. Will they stop work on all these roads ? If GREF has taken Forest clearance and paid compensation, then why the work was stopped and their machines seized and that only when they were returning to their depot after finishing work after 5 pm.
The MLA further said that Chattergalla tunnel could be sanctioned with the efforts of Dr Jitendra Singh, local MP and MoS in PMO. The work on the road has been expedited only with the efforts of Dr Singh, it is unfortunate that minister from this district and that too from own party was working against the interests of the people of this area. He claimed that development in the area is the commitment of BJP and BJP never supports suspension of road work. The MLA claimed that matter was also taken up with the Dy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, State BJP president Sat Sharma, concerned MP and minister in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh and the party high Command in Delhi. He warned to resign if the development of the area was scuttled by some people in the party.
“I failed to understand why minister has stopped this work. It may be something personal between the Forest Minister and GREF. What minister wants from them or what transpired between the two, they must be knowing better. I am with my own people and respect their sentiments. I can even leave the party and quit MLAship for my people,” the MLA maintained.
SDM, Bani Ajit Singh told the Excelsior that during early morning, the local labourers engaged on this road by BRO/ GREF raised barricades on the road about 2 kms ahead of Bani on Basohli road. They even stopped the first bus to Jammu. A large number of youth were boarding this bus who had to go to Akhnoor to participate in Army recruitment rally. The Bani market also remained closed. SDM said that he along with Tehsildar and SHO Suresh Gautam arrived at the spot and talked to the agitating people but they were not prepared to lift dharna till the seized machinery and two tippers are released. Later, local MLA also arrived there and he talked to the people and also addressed the gathering. The MLA also tried to convince the public. He said after long discussion with the agitating people and the Forest Range officer, one vehicle seized on the road near Magiar was released. There after, the road was opened at around 2.30 pm.
Meanwhile, the people have warned that if the JCB, Dozer and Tipper of the GREF were not released and work was not allowed to be restored on the road, they will again launch massive protest demonstration. They said if road work is causing damage to forests and environment in Bani area, then why minister and his staff was silent on the massive damage caused to forests and environment by roads works in Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Mughal Road.
The GREF labourers and staff also held protest demonstration at Chilli between Basohli and Bhoond on this road. There is GREF depot and stone crusher at this site. The road remained blocked there for several hours.
Conservator of Forests, Navin Shah when contacted claimed that when they were moving to Bani along with Forest Minister on Friday, they noticed damage caused to the forests and environment by GREF authorities in Magiar area, just few kms short of Bani. They had thrown Mulba not at proper points. Accordingly, an action was taken against them with the seizure of the machinery and tippers. He said the action was taken on the directions of the Minister. When asked why Forest Department was silent over such an action in Chenab region, Ramban and other parts of the State where massive damage has been caused to the forests and environment, the officer avoided to comment.
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