Why unable to eliminate terrorism from J&K: Solanki asks Centre

Jammu, July 17: Senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) leader and in-charge J&K affairs Bharatsinh Solanki Wednesday reminded the BJP leaders of their “haughty claims” on terrorism in J&K prior to 2014 and questioned the central government as to why it was unable to eliminate it in last 10 years.

In a reference to the recent amendment in J&K Business Rules by the Centre, he also alleged that the BJP-led central government did not want to return and restore democratic powers to J&K.

He was addressing a press conference here at Press Club, Jammu. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani, AICC secretary Manoj Yadav, JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla and JKPCC senior vice president in-charge media Ravinder Sharma accompanied him in the presser.

Reiterating their demand for restoration of statehood to J&K prior to assembly elections, Congress leaders announced to hold protests across J&K from Friday (July 18) against “rising terrorism in J&K; BJP government’s failure to contain it and changes in Business rules ahead of assembly elections enhancing powers of the Lieutenant Governor to continue its proxy rule even after (assembly) polls.”

“It is the fear of loss in the assembly elections that the central government is resorting to such changes which would turn democratically elected government, having only powers of municipality, after elections. Already through amended J&K Reorganisation Act post August 5, 2019, historic J&K state was truncated. Following bifurcation into two Union Territories, the powers of J&K state and rights of its citizens were snatched. Now recent changes aimed at making elected representatives weaker instead of making them empowered as promised, leaving no powers even with the Chief Minister. This is betrayal of the J & K people, who will have to rise to the occasion and give an appropriate response in the assembly elections to those who betrayed them,” Solanki said.

He alleged that the wrong policies of BJP led government at the Centre, contrary to its claims to end terrorism, revived it (terrorism) in Jammu region also, from where it was completely wiped-out during Congress tenure.

“Reports of sightings of terrorists in different districts of Jammu have created a reign of terror among people, who will have to take a final call during assembly elections. In the last ten years, they have seen it all and experienced differences. They knew who walked the talk and who befooled them with haughty claims while snatching even their fundamental rights,” in-charge J&K affairs said, while quoting statistics.

“11 terror attacks in the last 78 days and killing of 50 soldiers or so since 2021 in the Jammu region have not only raised concerns about the security situation but have also created terror and uncertainty among people. We lost pilgrims and civilians also in terror attacks. Entire nation is shocked as young soldiers are making sacrifices. Now what has happened to their claims, though they have been ruling for the past ten years? Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister – they all visited a parliamentary constituency during Lok Sabha elections. They will come again during assembly elections but prior to that (assembly elections) spate in terror attacks is creating genuine doubts among people,” Solanki said, while demanding immediate steps to contain terrorism to ensure incident free, ongoing Amarnath Yatra and ensuing assembly elections.

“Recent changes (in Business Rules) suggest that the BJP government at the Centre doesn’t want to transfer power to the people, even if elections are held as per SC orders. This has added to the already existing resentment and anger amongst people over large-scale unemployment, joblessness in the private sector and issues of daily wagers, temporary employees, taxes etc.,” he claimed.

Vikar Rasool announced, “The party will hold protests from tomorrow onwards at the state-level, then moving on to district, block and assembly segment level in a phased manner against government failure to contain terrorism and changes in Business Rules to snatch powers of elected representatives ahead of assembly polls. We will seek restoration of statehood before assembly elections.”

“When they were in power, they would ask us (Congress) – you’ve army, police and paramilitary forces, why you’re not able to control terrorism. Now we’re throwing the same poser to them,” JKPCC president said.

Referring to the change in Business Rules, he alleged that the Prime Minister and Home Minister had made a commitment to restore statehood but further weakened the institution of CM and council of ministers.