Oppn join hands against Farooq Govt

JAMMU, MARCH 22: Leaders of all the Opposition parties joined hands to launch what they called a `crusade' against National Conference (NC...

JAMMU, MARCH 22: Leaders of all the Opposition parties joined hands to launch what they called a `crusade’ against National Conference (NC) government whom they feel is responsible for “communalising” the situation in the state.

The massacre of Sikhs in Chithi Singhpora village in Anantnag has helped these parties to form a common platform to get rid of their “enemy” Farooq Abdullah, for whom they have been independently gunning for quite long.

The moment the news of carnage poured in, the leaders from various political parties started gathering at Singh Sabha Gurdwara to express their solidarity with the Sikh brethren.

Story continues below this ad

The gathering has decided to cut the supply lines to Valley till Farooq Abdullah submits his resignation and the Governor’s Rule is imposed in the state.

The most surprising aspect of the gathering was the presence of Ashok Gupta, general secretary, Shiv Sena, Jammu unit.

This is for the first time that Shiv Sena and Sikhs have shared a common platform after tension broke out between Hindus and Sikhs in Jammu on January 13, 1989.

While addressing a Sikh Sangat at the Rehari Gurdwara, Gupta said time has come to form a joint action committee (JAC) to fight against the forces, who are trying to disrupt peace in the region.

Story continues below this ad

Earlier, BJP legislator Chowdhary Piara Singh said: “It is high time we teach the administration a lesson. We should cut the supply line to the Valley.”

It was later at his suggestions that T S Wazir, president, Jammu and Kashmir Motor Transport Association, announced of not allowing the goods carriers to move towards Valley.

Daljit Singh, general secretary, Akali Dal, Jammu, asked people to maintain communal harmony. “With this killing, they (ISI) want to whip up communal frenzy and we must understand this. But one should not consider this as our weakness,” he clarified.

“Killing innocents like them is not what Sikhism preaches. This is an act of cowardice and not bravery,” he added.

Story continues below this ad

However, Basant Singh, secretary, J&K Sikh Prabandhak Board reiterated their stand of not migrating from Valley. “We have so far held aloft the tricolour and will continue to do so in future also.”

However, he criticised the state government for not providing the Sikh population living in remote areas any security thus making them scapegoats for militant attacks.

Many of the Sikh leaders also blamed Farooq government of helping militants in this process. They alleged that whatever weapon was in possession of the Sikhs was forcibly taken away by the authorities and got deposited at respective police stations.

“How can one fight with gun-toting enemy from across the border. Farooq should explain this to us,” said Mohan Singh, a resident of a Tral village.

Story continues below this ad

Gulchain Singh Charak of Duggar Sadar Sabha asked the Central government to formulate a strong policy to counter militancy in the state. He asked the Centre to check Farooq Abdullah, who is trying to stay in power by “communalising” the situation in the state.