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| Warehouse-Nehru Market Federation calls off strike following LG's probe order into fire department's lapses | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 11: President of the Traders Federation Warehouse-Nehru Market, Deepak Gupta, on Wednesday announced the withdrawal of the three-day shutdown of Warehouse-Nehru Market following the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor's decision to constitute a two-member committee to investigate the negligence of the Fire and Emergency Services Department during the devastating fire incident in Ware House on Diwali night.
Addressing a press conference at the Federation office, Gupta said that eight shops were completely gutted in the fire, while goods stored in two other shops were substantially damaged. Furthermore, the water used during firefighting operations inundated goods in another eight to ten adjoining shops, causing losses worth lakhs and crores of rupees to the affected traders.
Gupta said the delay in the arrival of fire tenders had aggravated the damage, compelling the Federation to call for a market shutdown, which was subsequently extended to 48 hours and continued for three days as a mark of protest.
He recalled that during their meeting with the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Jammu and Additional Deputy Commissioner, the Federation had raised three major demands.
These included a thorough inquiry into the negligence of the Fire and Emergency Services Department and appropriate action against those found responsible, financial assistance to traders who suffered losses, along with directions to the Jammu Development Authority (JDA) for the speedy reconstruction of shops and the allocation of suitable land in and around Jammu city to Warehouse-Nehru Market traders for the construction of Godowns.
Expressing satisfaction over the developments, Gupta said Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor Sh. Manoj Sinha had ordered an inquiry into the functioning and lapses of the Fire and Emergency Services Department by constituting a two-member committee comprising IGP Sh. Tejinder Singh and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sh. Vikas Kundal.
He thanked the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor for taking prompt cognizance of the Federation's demand, stating that the inquiry was essential to identify accountability and address shortcomings in the emergency response system. "The objective of our three-day shutdown was not merely to register a protest but to ensure that the shortcomings in the Fire and Emergency Services Department are addressed. Whether it is negligence by officials, shortage of machinery or inadequate firefighting vehicles, every deficiency must be rectified so that such a tragedy does not recur anywhere in Jammu," he said.
Regarding compensation and Godowns land, Gupta said that the Chief Secretary had already issued necessary directions to the Vice Chairman of JDA during the yesterday meeting. He appealed to Hon'ble Chief Minister Sh. Omar Abdullah to personally intervene in the matter, as the concerned department falls under his jurisdiction.
He expressed hope that the Hon'ble Chief Minister would soon announce a special financial relief package for the affected traders and initiate the process of allotting land to Warehouse-Nehru Market traders for Godowns.
Following the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor's order for an inquiry, the Federation convened a meeting of its senior members and unanimously decided to call off the strike. Gupta announced that the supply of ration from Warehouse-Nehru Market would resume from Thursday. He assured the people of Jammu that traders would work round the clock to replenish stocks and ensure that areas facing shortages due to the three-day closure receive adequate supplies at the earliest.
On the support extended during the difficult period, Gupta, on behalf of the Federation, expressed gratitude to PDP President Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister Sh. Surinder Choudhary, Minister Sh. Javed Rana, senior National Conference leader Sh. Ajay Sadhotra, BJP MP Sh. Jugal Kishore Sharma, LoP Sh. Sunil Sharma and all BJP MLAs, Union Minister Dr Sh. Jitendra Singh and other political representatives who visited the affected market and expressed solidarity with the traders.
He also thanked the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu, J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu, Transport Association, Bari Brahmana Industries Association, Chamber of Traders Federation, Shiv Sena Dogra Front, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal, Yuva Rajput Sabha and all other social organisations, community representatives and prominent citizens who stood by the affected business community. |
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