Govt failed to safeguard rights of  Border dwellers and weaker sections: Vijay Lochan

• NC promises equitable rights for all sections of society

SAMBA: The present dispensation has completely failed to safeguard the rights and interests of Border dwellers and other vulnerable sections of the society. Despite numerous promises and assurances, there has been no substantial action to address the systemic issues and injustices faced by these communities.

This was stated by Vijay Lochan, Chairman JKNC Scheduled Castes (SC) Cell, while addressing a meeting at Ramgarh area of district Samba. The meeting was organized under the chairmanship of Ashok Attri, Vice President Central Zone, Jammu, Samba and Kathua.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ashok Attri highlighted the problems faced by people of border areas due to non-availability of basic amenities, unemployment, irregular power and water supply, lack of health care facilities including shortage of staff in schools and healthcare centres and deplorable conditions of roads.

Vijay Lochan, the Chief Guest, criticized the present government for neglecting the border belt of the Jammu region, particularly the Samba district. He expressed great anguish over the unfulfilled promises made to border dwellers, such as providing 5 marla plots at safer locations and recruitment rallies in the border areas. He emphasized that the border people are always the frontline warriors, similar to the armed forces vigilantly guarding the borders. Despite their crucial role, they have been consistently ignored under the current regime. 

Lochan also expressed great resentment against the Central Government headed by BJP for its failure to provide comprehensive compensation to the West Pakistani refugees, despite assurances given by the then Home Minister in 2018. He urged the Central Govt to pay pending compensation to the West Pakistani refugees in one go who are facing huge hardships since their migration in 1947. He asked the party workers to gear up for the upcoming Assembly elections and reached out to the people in their respective areas to make them aware about how BJP has cheated them on the promises made by it in 2014 before going to elections. 

Mr Jagga Ram Provincial Vice President SC Cell asserted that the Party has always remained committed to protect the rights of SC/ ST and weaker sections of the society in the past and shall continue to do the same in future too.

Rakesh Singh Raka, Vice President of Central Zone, JKNC, raised serious concern over the pressing issues faced by farmers of border areas and the Kandi belt of Samba due to non-availability of irrigation water. He highlighted the severe impact this has on agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of farmers. 

Addressing the gathering Mr Satpal Block President and Member MC Ramgarh  criticized the government for not ensuring a fair Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, which leaves farmers financially vulnerable. He called for immediate measures to resolve the irrigation water crisis and to implement a fair MSP policy, emphasizing the need to support the farming community, which forms the backbone of the region's economy. 

He appealed to the people of Samba district to strengthen the hands of Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah in the ensuing Assembly elections for equitable development of every section of the society.

Among those who were present include:  Master Mittarpal Vice President District Samba, Gurmeet Block President Women wing, Bodh Raj, Vijay Verma Panch, Janak Raj Naib Sarpanch, Capt Yashpal, Ashanand, Balbir Singh, Satpal Panch, Kalla, Balwan Singh, Neeraj Youth President Ramgarh, Ram Dhani and others.