Samba, Ghagwal towns observe total bandh
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Aug 25: While Samba and Ghagwal townships observed a dawn to dusk bandh, the widespread protests continued on fifth consecutive day today in different parts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts in support of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS) demand regarding abolition of Toll Plaza at Sarore.
All shops and other business establishments in twin townships of Samba and Ghagwal remained closed in response to a bandh call given by Beopar Mandal Samba led by its president, Tejinder Singh. The hawkers selling vegetables and fruit also observed total strike in support of bandh call in the twin towns.
The chain hunger strike started by some prominent people in Samba continued for the second day today which was also joined by Congress leaders including DDC member Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony and former Minister, Yashpal Kundal among others. They extended full support to the protestors on behalf of the party.
The protestors owing allegiance to various organisations also took out rallies from Jammu to Kathua today. They included activists of Congress, National Conference, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) and members of Yuva Rajput Sabha. Enroute Kathua the rallyists with flags and placards in their hands held massive demonstrations at Samba demanding immediate suspension of Toll Plaza at Sarore, unconditional release of arrested leaders and halt on installation of smart meters and Property Tax.
Terming them “anti people decisions” they warned that the Government can’t suppress the voice of the people with its anti poor and undemocratic policies. The NC protest was led by former Minister and senior party leader, Ajay Sadhotra while DPAP protest was led by former Ministers and senior party leaders Jugal Kishore Sharma, R S Chib and Vinod Mishra.
Hundreds of people from Gurah Salathia in Samba district and adjoining villages joined the protest rally led by Pankaj Salathia and Panch Salathia to Kathua in support of YRS demand and release of the arrested leaders. Enroute they held a massive demonstration at Samba Chowk and later in front of District Jail, Kathua. Shouting slogans in support of their demands, the protestors impressed upon authorities for immediate release of arrested leaders of YRS and conceding of all genuine demands of YRS. They were also joined by members of Sadhu Samaj at Kathua.
Congress today alleged that its leaders were restrained from meeting the YRS leaders in Kathua Jail. The party however held a demonstration outside the jail. It said a delegation of party including Pranav Shagotra, Jatin K Raina, Hoshiar Singh, Rajan Sharma, Anoop Gupta, Ricky Dalotra and others who were accompanied by Kathua Congress leader, Naresh Sharma and others demanded unconditional release of jailed YRS leaders during the protest in front of Kathua Jail.
District Congress Committee (DCC), Jammu Rural held a protest demonstration at Bantalab in support of abolition of Toll Plaza, against installation of Smart meters and imposition of Property Tax that has been adding to the woes of common people of the UT.
The protest was held under the leadership of Hari Singh Chib, president DCC Jammu Rural. Those who joined the protest included Yogesh Sawhney, former Minister, Manmohan Singh, general secretary, Uttam Singh Chib, Rajinder Jamwal Corporator and many others. In his address Yougesh Sawhney strongly condemned the arrest of the YRS leaders and demanded their immediate release besides conceding of other demands.
Meanwhile, various organizations have extended support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh the call of which was given by Chamber of Commerce and Industries demanding removal of Sarore Toll Plaza, halting installation of smart meters and release of the leaders of Yuva Rajput Sabha (YRS).
Expressing anger over the adamant attitude adopted by the BJP controlled administration to solve pressing issues like illegal collection of toll and installation of pre paid electric meters, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has supported the tomorrow’s bandh call given by Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This was stated by PDP spokesman, Varinder Singh Sonu while talking to reporters here today. He said the PDP activists will take out peaceful rallies across Jammu against the anti people polices of the Government.
Jammu Province People’s Forum (JPPF) in its meeting here, today has decided to extend full support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh. The working president of JPPF, M S Katoch said that in continuation of the conference held some days back regarding removal of Toll Plaza with immediate effect but nothing has been done by Government till date so the organization has decided to extend full support tomorrow’s bandh. He also expressed concern over not releasing the arrested leaders of YRS.
Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS), while extending full support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh has termed the demands put forth by the people as justified and genuine. Sabha president and former Minister, Gulchain Singh Charak has also appealed to the social, political and other organizations of Jammu to come together, irrespective of their affiliations and peacefully agitate to get the demands of public accepted by the Government.
Jammu Province Bachao Manch (JPBM) has also extended full support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh. The decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of JPBM here, today which was held under the leadership of its chairman, Ashok Sharma.
Former Deputy Chief Minister and Senior Congress leader Tara Chand led a massive protest in Akhnoor against authoritarian attitude of the present dispensation for detaining the Yuva Rajput Sabha leaders over the issue of removal of Sarore Toll Plaza, besides opposing property tax and smart meters apart from other burning issues of public.
Tara Chand led a large gathering of public and Congress workers from Sungal Morh to Fawara Chowk in Akhnoor to lodge strong protest against the BJP Government at the Centre and the UT administration for adopting indifferent and authoritarian approach towards the general public and their grievances.
Another protest was by led Dr Rohit, provincial secretary Apni Party, Parshotam Chib, Daljit Singh and other leaders of YRS at Subash Nagar here against the arrest of YRS leaders and for suspension of Sarore TP. The protestors raised slogans in support of their demands and urged the Government to concede the genuine demands of the people.
Old Wine Traders Association president Charanjit Singh has also supported the bandh call of Chamber.
Kashmiri Pandit Sabha (KPS) Ambphalla has also extended its full support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh the call of which has been given by Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Sabha, while endorsing the bandh call has also demanded immediate release of YRS activists.
Citizens Welfare & Development Council Jammu while expressing its serious concern over arrest of YRS leaders at Sarore demanding removal of Toll Plaza has extended full support to tomorrow’s band and decided to actively participate in the same. It also demanded immediate removal of TP and unconditional release of arrested YRS activists.
Sunil Dimple led Jammu Statehood Mission held a protest at New Plots demanding immediate conceding of genuine demands of the people. Dimple, who had already extended his support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh has made a fervent appeal to people of Kashmir to observe bandh tomorrow and extend support to Jammu people for the common demands of the people of UT.
Hindustan Shiv Sena (HSS) JK UT, president, Vikrant Kapoor has also extended full support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh demanded removal of unauthorized Toll Plaza and release of arrested leaders.
Various Sikh organizations of J&K held a meeting today under the chairmanship of Mohinder Singh, chief organiser Bhai Kanahiya Nishkam Sewa Society. The meeting decided to extend full support to tomorrow’s Jammu bandh.
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