 Early Times Report
Kathua, Feb 6: National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Jammu, saying that criminal elements have become emboldened, carrying out shootouts and burglaries in broad daylight.
“Such brazen acts of crime have sent shockwaves among the people, especially housewives, elderly citizens, and children, making them feel unsafe even within their own homes”, Mr. Sadhotra lamented while addressing a workers meeting at Kathua which was organized by Ajit Kumar Sharma District President National Conference Kathua and Neelam Sharma Incharge Women Wing Kathua Block Basholi and K K Bakshi Sr. Vice President Kathua and Shakeel Ahmed Block President Kathua.
He said that criminals appear to have no fear of law enforcement, as they continue their sinister activities against civilized society without any deterrence.
This situation reflects serious lapses in policing and governance, due to dual control, leading to an atmosphere of insecurity, he said while holding the BJP responsible for alarming and deteriorating situation.
In this context, Mr Sadhotra also referred to the reports of excessive use of force and harassment of Makhan Din in police custody in Billawar leading to his suicide and the killing of Waseem Ahmed Malla, allegedly by the army under circumstances not yet entirely clear, saying such incidents instil sense on insecurity and fear among the people.
He hailed Chief Minister Mr Omar Abdullah for ordering own inquiry to bring out the truth as the present government is helpless to tackle such situations due to dual control. Referring to the political and administrative changes following August 5, 2019, Mr. Sadhotra stressed that there must be a course correction to undo the damage caused by those decisions. He asserted that the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and statehood has weakened governance, leading to a situation where crime and lawlessness are on the rise.
“The situation is going out of control, and the administration must take immediate and effective measures to address it,” Sadhotra said. The National Conference Additional General Secretary sought full statehood to be restored, and the democratically elected popular government to be empowered to effectively tackle the worsening law and order situation, ensuring fast track development, combating burgeoning unemployment and fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
Sadhotra called for clear directives to control the rising crime rate and emphasized that strict action under law must be taken against criminals. He said a visible policing strategy must be implemented to restore the people’s confidence in law enforcement. “Public safety must be prioritized, and it must be ensured that the rule of law prevails,” he added.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Abdul Gani Malik Former Minister emphasized the need of strengthening National Conference at grass root level and to strengthen the hands of Dr. Farooq Abdullah President of the Party and Omar Abdullah Chief Minister and Vice President of the Party.
Addressing the meeting, Mr Mohd Ayoub Malik stressed on the workers to go to every door step with the programmes of National Conference and always identify themselves with the problems of the people.
Others who spoke on the occasion are Sham Narayan Mehta District President Kathua Rural, Satwant Dogra Provincial President Women Wing, Chander Mohan Sharma District President Jammu Urban, Raghubir Singh Manhas District President Rural, Surjeet Singh Manhas Joint Secretary Jammu Province, Ch Naresh Bittu, Abdul Gani Teli President OBC, Randhir Singh Chib, Ashwani Charak, Pinki Khalsa, Priyanka Sharma, District President Women Wing Jammu, Sumita Bhan, Anju Grover, Veer Ji, S Sewak Singh Retd SSP, Aman Manhas, S Harjeet Singh, S Pardeep Singh. |
