Leader of Opposition pays tributes to security forces

Srinagar, Nov 5: The Leader of the Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Sunil Sharma Tuesday said that security forces who lost their lives in the line of duty should be paid tributes as they had spent their lives safeguarding the country.

He said that security forces from the Army, paramilitary forces, and Police, who had been shot, should be given importance.

“They have given their lives for the security of the country, for the unity of the country, and for the protection of the residents of J&K,” Sharma said.

He said that it was a tradition of this house that the legislators who were not part of the house were paid tributes but the security forces who lost their lives should be given importance as well.

“I believe that security forces deserve it first. They left their homes and sacrificed their lives for the protection of the people of this land. So, first of all, it is their right to be given importance,” Sharma said.

He said that Devender Singh Rana was not just a leader but a brother, a companion, a friend, and a mentor to him.

“J&K has lost a very big leader,” he told media persons after the adjournment of the house.

Sharma said he trusted Rana a lot.

“There were a lot of expectations from him, especially for the BJP. Now his position in the BJP is vacant. We are very sad. We are very sorry. We are in a lot of pain for losing Devender Rana,” he said.

Sharma said that his absence would never be fulfilled.

“No one can ever fill that vacuum left by him. Not just me, entire J&K, everyone across party and religious lines will miss him,” he said.

Earlier, speaking during the obituary reference in the house, Sharma recalled the contribution of the leaders who had not been members of the house but had passed away during the past 5 years.

“All these personalities have worked for the people of J&K and left their mark on the lives of the people.  A leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee has lived an exemplary life,” he said.