Winding up the six day tour of Chenab Valley, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad & Former Chief Minister of the State has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating condition of roads of Chenab Valley, including NH1B as well as the worsening security situation in the State.During the six day long tour, Azad intensely travelled by road in the interiors of Doda and Kishtwar Districts and held thorough interaction with the people belonging to all walks of life.
Earlier on 17th August, Azad addressed the District Convention of Congress workers of District Doda which, among others, was attended by PCC President G.A.Mir, Sr Vice President Sham Lal Sharma, Ex Minister Mohammad ShariefNiaz, Vice President & MLA G.M. Saroori, MLA VikarRasool, MLC Naresh Gupta, Ex Minister Abdul MajeedWani, Ex MLA Ashok Kumar Dogra, Former Adv General Aslam Goni, Sheikh Mujib Ali, Asif Gattu, Prithvi Raj Manhas Ex- IGP and other senior leaders.Lamenting the deplorable condition of all the roads of the region, including NH 1B, Azad said this is for the first time no maintenance work is being carried out on the roads, especially the National Highway 1B which is the lifeline of the region.
“Eversince the BJP led Govt has taken over at the Centre, NH1B has gone off the radar of the authorities, and its condition has worsened so rapidly and severely”, said Azad.Azad said that frequent landslides caused by the persistent rains, it seems, have not been cleared for months on the roads, making them dangerously narrow and inconvenient for the commuters.“NH1B gives the look of a ravaged, forgotten and abandoned road as if it is of no use for the State”, said Azad adding that this speaks volumes about the commitment of the BJP-led Central Govtto the welfare and betterment of people of the State.
He further said that the closure of Doda-Bhaderwah road continuously for ten days demonstrates the apathy and neglect of the area in ample measure.“Such a scenario is unthinkable that a minor landslide is not cleared for ten days. Journey on the roads has become no less than an ordeal”, said Azad.Drawing the attention of Chief Minister, Azad called for immediate restoration and maintenance of all the roads of the State, including the all-important National Highway 1B so that the hardships faced by the people are alleviated to some extent.Azad also expressed grave concern on the worsening security situation and sudden & sharp rise in the incidents of the militancy in the State.
He said that broad daylight attacks are once again being carried out in the State and it seems we are back to nineties as far as militancy and violence is concerned.“What is more frightening is the joining of militant ranks by local youth in hordes after the BJP-led Government came to power at the Centre”, said Azad.Questioning the policies of BJP-led Central Govt, Azad said that people are deeply worried about the heightened violence and terror acts in the State and there is a pressing need to take immediate steps to arrest the worrisome slide in security scenario.Expressing deep disappointment over the abrupt withdrawal of security of the Congress party leaders, office bearers and workers across the State on an arbitrary and partisan basis, Azad said this smacks of vendetta and political revenge being perpetrated by the authorities concerned for extraneous considerations.He also said that the security complement of PCC President and senior leaders across the State has been downgraded without any rationale.“Our leaders and workers have been in the forefront to deepen and strengthen the democratic forces in the State, and this arbitrary and sudden move has made them ‘sitting ducks’ in the worsened security scenario”, said Azad adding that he will soon take up the matter with Chief Minister J&K and Home Minister of India.