Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 21: Lashing out at PDP-BJP coalition Government, Team Jammu today alleged that the Government has ”disrespected” the martyred soldiers and demanded immediate compensation of at least Rs 25 lakh for the Next of Kin of martyrs.
“Many States have come forward and extended helping hand to the soldiers from Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and Jharkhand, martyred in Uri attack but unfortunately Jammu and Kashmir Government has yet to wake up from its deep slumber and utter a word regarding relief for two soldiers from Jammu, who were among those attained martyrdom in Uri,” Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Chairman, Team Jammu, in an urgently convened meeting of the members and volunteers, called here this afternoon.
Stating that just only making lip sympathies and condemning the incidents will not solve the matter, Zorawar Singh said, “it is not a matter of money but respect and responsibility on behalf of State Government, which as a protocol has to be shown to them.”
The Team Jammu Chairman lamented that PDP-BJP Government doubled the salaries of its Council of Ministers as well as legislators, but did nothing substantial for the families of martyrs except expressing lip sympathy and condemnation of the terror attack. “I feel surprised and shocked that the party like BJP, who used to make big promises and announcements during the time of Assembly elections, did not bother to take up the case of compensation to the martyred soldiers,” he added.
Zorawar also opined that Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, by cancelling all his important assignments, should have attended the funeral of soldiers but he preferred his participation in Naropa Festival in Ladakh.
The Team Jammu said it was shameful and condemnable that those who rendered services for the State and nation, were not given due attention whereas stone pelters and those instigating violence in the Kashmir valley, were being given due consideration.