Early Times Report
jammu, Nov 24: A group of about 40 distinguished citizens on Monday met at an isolated place to discuss the problems being faced by the people of Jammu region and discuss ways and means aimed at ending the Kashmiri domination over the region.
Significantly, without any exception, they spoke in one voice and asserted that division of the State is the only option left for the people of Jammu region and that the time has come to make the authorities do the needful at the earliest.
The most significant feature of the composition of the meeting was the presence of a large number of distinguished persons of the region, including two retired Major Generals, some retired police officials, a retired judge, writers of repute, two former University Professors, leaders of various political groups and heads of a number of social and community organizations. Three Jammu-based business leaders were also present in the meeting.
Interestingly, most of those who spoke on the occasion endorsed the Panthers Party's line and suggestions. The Panthers Party, which till recently used to demand reorganization of the State, last month changed its political goal and declared that "its goal now is a full-fledged separate Jammu city, and not the State's reorganization". And those who spoke without mincing words said that the Panthers Party's solution is the best solution and it was time for "all of us" to work in this direction.
However, there were speakers who suggested that "it was time to establish a new regional party and fight for the cause of Jammu region". Only a regional party can meet the needs of the people of Jammu province, they said, adding that 'the people of Jammu region have already tested all the political parties" and that "it would be advisable if we decide in this very meeting to set up a new party on the lines parties like the Aam Aadmi Party". Then, there were other speakers who suggested that "we should strengthen the Panthers Party, which has already been working on the ground for nine months".
They, among other things, also said that New Delhi, not the Kashmiri leadership, should be blamed for the miserable plight of Jammu in every respect; that the people of Jammu region cannot do business with Kashmiri leadership whose demands include autonomy, self-rule azadi, merger with Pakistan, economic independence, Islamic banking, demilitarization, revocation of AFSPA, India-Pakistan joint-control over Jammu & Kashmir, porous borders and so on; that the people of Jammu region have to adopt "some radical methods if they want to achieve independence from Kashmir and total merger with India; and that New Delhi must take cognizance of the political aspirations of the people of Jammu region and act before it is too late.
Since the opinion was divided on the issue of formation of a new party, it was decided "those who participated in today's meeting will again meet very soon to take final decision". However, they were clear on one issue: Jammu issue and its solution. Separate Jammu State was their solution. |
