 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 17: Senior National Conference leader and former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed anguish over the sadistic approach of the Lieutenant Governor's Administration in carrying out ruthless demolition and anti-encroachment drive to divest the poor people from their small holdings, dwelling units and petty shops, the only sustenance of lakhs of families across Jammu and Kashmir.
"The manner with which the administration terrified the poor residents in various Jammu areas in recent days reminds the people of the relentless and sustained efforts of the National Conference governments in safeguarding their interests", Sadhotra said while addressing people at Bantalab in Jammu North Assembly Constituency this afternoon.
Sadhotra drew parallel between the ongoing inhuman anti-encroachment drive with the land to tiller legislation brought in by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and said while the former is to torment the people, the latter empowered millions of landless dwellers. This is how the National Conference set an agenda of serving the poor, the marginalized and the downtrodden even during most challenging times, he said, adding that the people can now see through the game plan of the BJP.
He described the demolitions and unethical retrieval of land under the garb of anti-encroachment drive as perpetual punishment to the poor and an agenda of the BJP to create fear, panic and despondency across Jammu and Kashmir. Throwing all norms and civil behaviour to winds, the administration does not pay any heed to the documentation of those becoming targets of their inhuman actions. Humiliating and victimizing people through undemocratic means is not acceptable in the civilized society, he said, hoping good sense prevails upon those at the help for ending this authoritarian measure.
"As if growing unemployment, rising inflation, dilapidated utility services, erratic power and drinking water supply was not enough, the administration has come up with yet another draconian measure in the garb of anti-encroachment drive", Mr Sadhotra said, adding that while the unemployment is attaining alarming proportions, the administration is showing least interest in taking plausible measures to address this burgeoning problem, resulting in despondency among the youth. They feel more dejected and frustrated due to scams and scandals in the recruitment process, he said and referred to the recent Police SI, JE and Accounts Assistant frauds.
He alleged that BJP having failed in giving good governance has adopted anti-people policies like anti-encroachment drive and notices to the poor people diverting the attention of common masses from the burning issues.
Sadhotra recalled the dreams sold at the time of revocation of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, asking what extraordinary development has taken place since then. Instead of bringing down the promised moon for the people, they feel deprived of normal developmental activities with the utility services remaining in shambles. There has not been any forward moment in the normal developmental activities due to administrative inertia and lack of accountability, he added.
The former minister asked the administration to stop the reckless anti-encroachment drive and stop giving notices to the poor people and formulate an action plan to safeguard the interests of the poor. He said the National Conference has always worked against the land mafia but the poor people cannot be brought on the roads. Their interests have to be safeguards, he maintained.
Others who interacted with the people are Ramesh Abrol, District President Raghubir Singh, Ankush Abrol Joint Secretary Jammu Province, Dr Rajinder Sharma, Rakesh Sharma, Ganesh Kumar, Randhir Singh Jamwal, District Secretary Randhir Singh Chib, Farooq Malik, Ch Razak, Muhktiar Naqvi, Gurnam Singh Block President Janipur. |
