Jammu, Feb 15 (UNI) Lambasting the BJP for betraying and disempowering the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Saturday reiterated the demand of restoring statehood without any delay.
Addressing the largely attended district convention at Poonch 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.
Senior functionaries of JKPCC Tara Chand and other senior Congress leaders also addressed the convention.
“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 “Hamari Riyasat Hamara Haq” 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 and 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 Mugal 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 and employment Package, J&K 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.
He further raised serious concerns regarding security and border area issues, urging the government to provide compensation for shelling victims, construct better bunkers, and implement improved security measures for border residents who face constant threats and hardships.
Targeting the BJP’s failure to address unemployment, Karra criticized the lack of job opportunities for local youth. He reiterated Congress’s commitment to employment generation, skill development programs, and ensuring transparency in recruitment processes to empower the younger generation.
Karra also took on the BJP for its divisive politics, asserting Congress’s commitment to religious and regional harmony.
He praised the traditional harmony of Poonch and reaffirmed Congress’s secular stance in protecting the social fabric of the region.
On the issue of the Agniveer scheme, he questioned the BJP’s policy that adversely affects traditional recruitment in the Dogra Regiment.
He demanded a better recruitment policy that safeguards the aspirations of army hopefuls from the region.
Finally, Karra assured the people of Poonch that JKPCC remains steadfast in prioritizing the district’s interests in seat-sharing negotiations and broader political strategies.
He reaffirmed Congress’s unwavering commitment to addressing the region’s concerns and ensuring its rightful place in the state’s development trajectory.
The convention witnessed enthusiastic participation from Congress leaders and workers, who vowed to intensify their struggle for the rightful demands of Poonch-Rajouri and the larger goal of statehood restoration.
UNI VBH GNK