AJKPC begins 72 hour hunger ‘strike satyagraha’ at Nagrota
Jammu: A 72-hour hunger strike led by Anil Sharma, President of the All Jammu & Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), started Sunday at Narsingh Mandir, Jindrah in Nagrota Assembly Constituency to highlight several long pending issues affecting the people of the area.
The decision to begin the hunger strike was taken earlier during a meeting of prominent citizens of Nagrota Assembly Constituency held under the banner of AJKPC. The meeting discussed various concerns related to administration, healthcare and education in the constituency and decided to start a peaceful protest so that the government and concerned authorities take note of the demands of the people.
The hunger strike began at around 11:00 AM with Anil Sharma along with social activists and local residents sitting on the protest. People from nearby villages and areas also reached the site during the day to extend their support, a statement issued by the Panchayat body said.
Speaking on the occasion, Anil Sharma said the people of Nagrota constituency have been raising these issues for a long time but no concrete action has been taken so far. He said the hunger strike has been started to draw the attention of the government towards genuine public demands.
Among the main demands raised during the protest is the grant of functional Sub Division status to Nagrota along with establishment of an SDM office. The participants have also demanded Tehsil status for Jindrah.
The protesters have also sought setting up of a Tehsil Treasury in Dansal block of Nagrota constituency to facilitate official and financial work in the area.
The protesters also demanded better healthcare facilities in the constituency including establishment of proper accident and trauma hospitals in Nagrota Assembly Constituency. In the education sector, the participants demanded construction of a new building for Government Degree College Jindrah and sought an ACB probe into the damage caused to the existing building of the college.
Another important demand raised during the agitation is the filling of all vacant posts in schools and colleges of Nagrota constituency so that students do not suffer due to shortage of staff.
The hunger strike will continue for 72 hours in the first phase. The participants said that if the government starts dialogue and takes steps to address the demands, the agitation may be reviewed. In case there is no response, the protest may be extended further
The organisers said the agitation will remain peaceful and disciplined and will focus only on issues concerning the people of the constituency.
They also said that any MLA, Member of Parliament, Minister or government official visiting the protest site will be welcomed and a memorandum highlighting the demands will be submitted to them.
