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| Ghulam Nabi, Tara Chand and Lal Singh salute Kathua martyrs | | | Munish Gupta
KATHUA, NOV 5 – The valiant tradition of the patriotic people of this town of Jammu region of defending their motherland from repeated covert and overt assaults from across the borders was hailed today by a large gathering that observed Martyrs Day here today amid distinguished guests and dignitaries. This historic day to commemorate the memory of countless martyrs from the town was observed for the 11th time on this day at the call of Lok Sabha member from Doda-Udhampur Parliamentary seat, Mr Lal Singh.
Among others the Deputy Chief Minister Mr Tara Chand was present to welcome chief guest and Union Minister for Health and Medical Education, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad, who honoured martyrs by garlanding their portraits and expressing solidarity and unstinted Government support to the martyrs’ families and dependents who often lost their breadwinners in the fight to defend their country and fellow citizens.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Azad said, “The terror situation which was patronised by the rulers of Pakistan, including its Army Generals, in the past resulting into deaths of large number of innocent civilians of Jammu and Kashmir is now devouring the Pakistani society and the public over there is suffering because of the wrong policies of the supporters of terror at high positions.”
Besides Mr Azad, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Tara Chand, Minister for R&B, Mr G.M. Saroori, Health Minister, Mr Sham Lal Sharma, MOS for Cooperatives, Printings, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MOS for Fisheries and Auqaf, Mr Aijaz Ahmed Khan, MOS for Forest, Transport, Labour and Employment, Mr Shabir Ahmed Khan, Ex-Ministers, Mr Gulchain Singh Charak, Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, Mr Yogesh Sawhney, Mr. Gharu Ram, Ex- MLA, Basohli, Mrs Kanta Andotra, MLC, Mr Subash Gupta among others were present on the occasion.
The family members of martyrs were received and welcomed by Mr Azad at Kalibari. Then in the form of a rally the martyrs families were taken to Shahidi Chowk via Hatli Morh. At Shahidi Chowk, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad garlanded the portraits of 96 martyrs of district Kathua who laid down their lives for safeguarding the honour of their country. Significantly, this was the 11th Shahidi Diwas organised since 1999 when the first function was held here to observe Martyrs’ Day after the Kargil war.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Azad said that since 1947 Pakistan has continuously been making attempts to foment violence and initiate wars. This is borne out by 1965, 1971 as well as in Kargil war in 1999. The infiltrators during last 20 years were always patronised by Pakistan to enter in Indian territory and kill randomly not only army personnel, SPOs, security and J&K Police personnel but also innocent civilians irrespective of their age. He said the warriors of security personnel, army and J&K Police who fought to protect the honour of the country as also save the state and its life and property and dignity of civilians, including women and children who too were attacked by the terrorists. The desperados were assisted, funded and armed besides being encouraged to infiltrate for causing damage to socio religious fabric of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mr. Azad said that India has always believed in resolving all issues through dialogue and in an atmosphere of peace. It was not only at Prime Minister’s level but also at ministerial, diplomatic and secretary level that dialogue between two countries was initiated.
Not only Srinagar-Muzzafarabad road but Poonch-Rawalakot road was also thrown open for people to people contact and commencement of trade at a large scale so that economy of the state which received heavy jolts during last 20 years could get new boost through the new free trade between the two countries via these routes. However, he lamented that Pakistan has always adopted double policy and continued to encourage terrorists to attack in discreet, deceitful and surreptitious manner.
He said today whatever is happening in Pakistan is direct consequence of wrong policy of their army and rulers. The Pakistan rulers created a Frankenstein and made their country epicenter of terror since two decade before and now they are facing the same Frankenstein that has turned against them. He advised rulers of Pakistan to understand language of love and peace and reciprocate through help in creating peaceful atmosphere in the entire subcontinent.
Mr Azad said that hundreds of security personnel who sacrificed their lives for the motherland and to protect honour and dignity of their defenceless fellow citizens shall always be remembered with fondness and respect. Today the observance of Martyrs’ Day at Kathua is not only meant to pay tributes to such great martyrs but also communicate strong message that we are one in our thought and mind to work tirelessly for peace and strengthen economy of the State and well being of its people. He said we are in the process of rebuilding the economy of the state and provide full support to strengthen it.
Earlier, MP Mr Lal Singh welcomed all the guests and members of martyrs’ families.
Speaking on the occasion, he appealed to Mr Azad to help the families of the martyr’s by providing jobs to their kiths and kin on a top priority basis and free education to their children
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