The Congress accuses BJP of presiding over an “unprecedented deterioration of security” in Jammu. Claimed the Union Territory’s administration led by the lieutenant governor was showing “incompetence” in managing the situation. Congress general secretary in charge communications Jairam Ramesh asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi four questions ahead of his political rally in Jammu on Saturday.
Why has the security situation in Jammu deteriorated? He asked.
“The BJP, despite its claims to be the monopolist of nationalism. Has presided over an unprecedented deterioration of security in Jammu,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
Militancy in Jammu is making its presence felt after a gap of nearly 15 years, the Congress leader said.
Around the start of 2024, the government said that the number of active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir had come down to double digits — 31 — with four active terrorists in the Jammu region, he said.
Now, in a shocking about turn, the officials say there are around 50 to 60 terrorists who have successfully intruded into the interiors of Jammu in April-May, Ramesh said.
The activities of terror had had terrible consequences, the Congress accuses BJP leader said while addressing a public rally here today.
In the past few months, we have seen a significant presence of militants in areas which had been declared militancy-free and an increase in the number of fatalities of our security personnel and civilians,” he said.
“Around the same time when the non-biological PM was taking the oath, a terrorist attack in Reasi killed nine innocent pilgrims. The L-G administration has proved to be unequal in its incompetence in the management of this security situation, he said.”.
It has ably been supported by the defence ministry and its “ill-conceived” Agnipath scheme. Which has “systematically undermined popular interest in army recruitment in Jammu. A key recruitment centre for the army historically”, Ramesh said.
Why has the BJP let security in Jammu go downhill so rapidly, he asked.
Ramesh further asked what vendetta the BJP has against the people of Jammu.
“One of the BJP’s flagship initiatives has been to scrap the Durbar move, the annual shift of the J-K state government from Srinagar to Jammu in the winters.
” The Durbar move has historically been a tremendous stimulus for Jammu’s economy, with businessmen in Jammu’s famed Raghunath Bazaar and Apsara Road waiting for winters and the bulk orders that would come in from Valley-based customers,” he said.
Wrote Ramesh in a post on X: ‘The L-G administration claims they saved Rs 100-200 crore or so by ending the Durbar move. The cost they’ve inflicted on the local economy has been much higher.’.
“The Durbar move was also symbolic of the collective history and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir – it forged an emotional bond between the two regions and acknowledged the importance of Jammu city, said the Congress accuses BJP.
Ramesh asked why the BJP had so ruthlessly deprived the people of Jammu of this economic stimulus and political recognition. “Why was more care not taken to support the economy of the region when the Durbar move was scrapped?”
He further asked why there had been a sharp increase in narcotics smuggling in the Union territory.
“One fundamental reason for the upsurge in terrorist activity, particularly in Jammu. There has been a sharp rise in narcotics smuggling over the last few years with the International Border in Jammu. Rather than the LoC in Kashmir, being the primary area of operation for the smugglers,” Ramesh said.
He claimed narcotics consumption had seen a 30 per cent hike in five years. The smuggling rings have become very sophisticated, and even government officials have been involved.
State police and other security forces have seized over 700 kg of heroin. Valuing roughly Rs 1,400 crore in the international market between 2019 and 2023, Ramesh said.
This is apart from 2,500 kg of charas and nearly 1 lakh kg of opium derivatives seized. He added that it was across Jammu and Kashmir during the same period.
The Congress leader even alleged that Jammu and Kashmir. Has emerged as a transit destination for drugs, routing them to states like Punjab and Gujarat and even international markets.
In his speech, former Chief Minister Ramesh quoted. “Former J-K DGP Dilbag Singh has gone on record to say that the ‘drug menace is a bigger threat than militancy’. Six years after acquiring unelected power, what has the Union government achieved in curtailing the drug menace?” Ramesh asked.
The Congress leader also claimed that without statehood and a working system of political representation. Governance across Jammu and Kashmir has “collapsed”.
He also said that policing has deteriorated, and criminal activity has skyrocketed in Jammu.
“Theft and violent crime are now rampant. Corruption has reached unprecedented levels, with outsiders belonging to the RSS cabal monopolizing all government contracts. And seeing astronomical increases in their wealth,” Ramesh alleged.
Even when aspiring youth are thrown out of Jammu for an employment opportunity. With zero interest from the administration in any endeavour towards development, he claimed that job opportunities have eroded.
“Neighbouring state governments have established IT parks in Mohali and Chandigarh, but Jammu has seen no investment of that kind. Finally, even basic administrative tasks like electricity bills are seeing massive mismanagement,” Ramesh said.
Ararthy, inflated bills are charging from simple households. With some homes receiving bills of up to Rs 33,000 per month, he alleged.
“Is this collapse in governance a reflection of incompetence, or a reflection of the BJP’s ill-will to the people of Jammu?” Ramesh said.
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