Debt waiver promise: BJP burns Amarinder’s effigy
AMRITSAR:IN a series of state-wide protests, the Amritsar unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) burnt an effigy of CM Captain Amrinder Singh at Hall Gate Chowk on Tuesday, alleging that the party won the elections by making false claims to the people. The protest was led by Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik.
Addressing party workers and leaders, the MP said the motive of the protest was to “remind people that they have been cheated by the Congress government, which came into power by making false promises”.
He said the Congress government has failed to fulfil its prepoll promises even after completing 10 months in power in the state. Malik said the Congress’ election manifesto had promised to waive off complete debt of farmers; eradicate drug mafia and drug menace; a job for at least one person in a family; ₹2,500 per month to unemployed youths; old age pension of ₹1,500; houses to Dalits; but none of these promises have been filled by the government.
“More than 300 farmers of the state have committed suicide in the state in past 10 months and the state government is entirely responsible for this,” he said.
He added, “The sand mafia is also active in the state due to which, people are forced to purchase sand on higher prices. The mafia, with the support of Congress ministers, is continuing illegal mining. Not only this, gangsters are on the loose in the state and people don’t feel secure anymore.”
He said cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh, who had been under fire from the Opposition for his alleged involvement in sand mining auction, submitted his resignation. He said that in the present circumstances, assembly elections will be again held with Lok Sabha elections in 2019 as the state government’s ministers are resigning due to their involvements in corruptions.
BJP’S district president Rajesh Honey, former minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Adarsh Bhatia, former minister Anil Joshi, veteran leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina were present in the protest.
CIVILIAN SUCCUMBS TO BULLET INJURIES
A civilian, who had received bullet injuries during a protest at an encounter site in south Kashmir last month, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, police officials familiar with the matter said.
Mohammad Ayub Bhat, a resident of Shopian district’s Mulu Chitragaam area, received three bullet wounds when protesters clashed with security forces during an encounter at Bhatmaran village on December 19, an officer at Shopian police control room said.
Two militants and a civilian had died in the gunfight.