Jammu: The National Conference has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convene an all-party meeting to “bail out” the people of Jammu and Kashmir from the prevailing situation of uncertainty and fear psychosis following targeted killings by militants.

It alleged that the Lieutenant Governor administration has “miserably failed” to handle the present situation in the Union Territory.

Rattan Lal Gupta, provincial president (Jammu), National Conference, asked the home minister to convene an all-party meeting to bail out the people of J-K from the prevailing situation of uncertainty and fear psychosis on account of frequent terrorists activities, especially against the minority community both in Kashmir and Jammu provinces.

Gupta, along with senior party leaders, visited Dhangri village in Rajouri on Monday to offer condolences to the bereaved family members of the victims of the terror attacks. Seven people were killed by terrorists in the village last week.

Gupta expressed concern over the Lt Governor’s “hesitant approach” in calling an all-party meeting despite several requests by different political parties, including the NC, over the burning issues which the people are confronting with in J-K after the targeted killings, a party statement said.

He said the “dillydallying stance” of the Lt Governor has proved deleterious for the UT as many precious lives have been lost to terror strikes. It is the reason the NC has now decided to approach the Union home minister to come out with a concrete plan after consulting all political entities through a meaningful meeting to be conducted as soon as possible, he added.

Gupta also requested the home minister to personally visit Dhangri to meet the affected families and also to assess the ground realities.

“Issues which the people are finding it difficult to confront these days in J-K include selective killings, uncontrollable inflation, unemployment, recruitment scams, unprecedented price hike of LPG, unavailability of civic amenities, relocation of employees working in Valley, rampant corruption and others,” the NC leader said.(PTI)

Three Indian Army personnel were killed in an accident while conducting a regular operational task in the forward area of Machhal Sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara on January 11, 2023. According to the Army, the incident took place when a vehicle carrying one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and two Other Ranks (OR) officers fell into a deep gorge after skidding off the snow-laden track.

The Chinar corps of the Army, in a tweet, said the mortal remains of the soldiers have been retrieved. “Incident #ChinarWarriors in #Machhal Sector. During a regular op task in forward area, a party of 01 JCO & 02 OR slipped into a deep gorge, when snow on the track gave way. Mortal remains of all the three #bravehearts have been retrieved. Further details follow. @NorthernComd_IA” the Chinar Corps tweeted.

New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday attacked the BJP over protests by Kashmiri Pandit employees, alleging that the saffron party’s “use, discard and betray” policy is responsible for their plight.

“Kashmiri Pandit employees are protesting for over 245+ days, demanding their ‘right to life’ & ‘relocation’. Their salaries are being withheld for months and their security is being compromised,” Kharge said in a tweet.

“BJP’s ‘use, discard & betray’ policy is responsible for their plight,” he said.

Srinagar, Jan 10: People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday urged Ladakhis to stand with the people of Jammu and Kashmir for a collective struggle to safeguard their unique identities and interests.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister was reacting to reports that Ladakhi leaders had unanimously opted out of the high-powered committee formed by the Union Home Ministry to address their demands, which include granting statehood to Ladakh.

“Urge my Ladakhi brothers & sisters to stand with us in our collective fight & struggle for safeguarding our unique identity & interests. For the past three years, a vicious propaganda has been unleashed to create fissures between J&K & Ladakh,” Mehbooba said in a series of tweets.

“Relieved that people of Ladakh finally realise that their interests & identity can be saved only if they unite with J&K. They’ve finally called off GOIs bluff & disinterest in granting them statehood & protecting their resources.

“It’s time we recognise that our struggle will reap dividends only if we stand united,” she added.

Mehbooba said the decision of Ladakhi leaders to stay away from the panel did not augur well for the Centre as it went against the claim that scrapping Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was acceptable to people of the erstwhile state.

“This certainly doesn’t bode well for GOI especially amidst a border standoff with China & also demolishes their lies that 5th August was beneficial or acceptable for people of J&K including Ladakh,” she said. PTI