Jammu, July 19: The National Conference (NC) Jammu Rural-A convened a significant conference under the leadership of President Raghbir Singh Manhas at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan in Jammu on Friday. The daylong meeting addressed critical issues plaguing the border areas, drawing attention to severe deficits in essential services and escalating security concerns.
Key speakers at the conference included Ajay Sadhotra, Additional General Secretary and former Minister, Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President Jammu, and Babu Rampaul, Central Zone President and former minister.
Raghbir Singh Manhas opened the conference by outlining the dire state of development in border areas, emphasizing the acute shortages of healthcare facilities, potable water, erratic electricity supply, and alarming levels of youth unemployment.
Ajay Sadhotra voiced strong criticism against the government’s handling of terrorism in the region, noting a rise in fear among residents due to increased terror incidents. He accused the administration of spreading a false narrative of peace while neglecting rural development and job creation in areas like Akhnoor, Makwal, Bhalwal, Khour, Nagrota, and Dansal.
Rattan Lal Gupta condemned the Central government’s policies, alleging a weakening of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir by enhancing the powers of the Lt Governor. He argued that such moves diminish the role of elected representatives in fulfilling public aspirations, essential for true democratic governance.
Addressing party workers, Rattan Lal Gupta called for heightened preparations ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls, asserting NC’s commitment to addressing the grievances of the people of Jammu and Kashmir comprehensively.
Babu Rampaul urged party members to bolster support for NC’s leadership under Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, stressing the importance of grassroots outreach to effectively communicate the party’s agenda and initiatives.
Pardeep Bali and Ayub Malik, Provincial Secretaries, along with Kuldeep Sharma, Senior JKNC leader, highlighted the administration’s failure to provide basic amenities to rural and remote areas. They demanded urgent action to alleviate the suffering caused by governmental apathy.
Additional voices at the conference, including Bimla Luthra, former MLA, and Shamim Begum, DDC member from Dansal, criticized the government’s neglect of marginalized communities, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and fair treatment for all citizens.
The conference concluded with a resolve among NC leaders and workers to intensify efforts to address developmental gaps, enhance security measures, and strengthen democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
