1. Home
2. Jammu

‘Jammu bandh’ call by JCCI, NPP evoke good response

Vikas Sharma. Dated: 9/19/2017 11:13:10 AM

Vikas Sharma
Jammu, Sep 18
Most of the markets in Jammu city and outskirts today observed a complete shutdown after a call in this regard was given by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) and the National Panthers Party (NPP).
While JCCI, the main body of traders and industrialists across the region, had called for a strike to press for its various demands including abolition of toll tax being charged by state government on goods at Lakhanpur and deportation of Rohingya Muslims, the NPP has given the call against the alleged “failure” of the BJP in addressing issues facing the region and their demand to declare state holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh.
Public and private vehicles were also seen plying across Jammu, though there was a decrease in traffic flow. JCCI members were seen going around the city requesting shopkeepers and mini-bus drivers to join the strike.
NPP activists also staged a protest at Dogra chowk in the heart of the city, burnt worn out tyres on the main road and raised anti-government slogans.
JKNPP chairman and former minister Hash Dev Singh said the BJP was indulging in “double-standards and duplicity” over the issues of deportation of Rohingyas and Article 35 A leading to public resentment against the saffron party.
Reports of protest by supporters of the bandh were also received on Jammu-Panthankote highway, officials said, adding the protest failed to have any impact on the movement of traffic on the highway.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway is also open for vehicular traffic with light motor vehicles plying from both sides, the officials said, adding due to ongoing repair work, load carriers are only moving from Jammu to Srinagar today.
Meanwhile, Chamber of Commerce & Industry feels more than satisfied for the overwhelming voluntary response of the business establishments in Jammu who observed complete bandh on the bandh call given by Chamber of Commerce & Industry in support of the pending demands of the Chamber and against irresponsible and unwanted statement of State BJP Chief.
It is pertinent to note that the bandh was completely peaceful and no violence took place and also nobody was forced to close down their business establishment. The Chamber did not enforce Chakajam because of requests from many organisations and people at large as it would cause inconvenience to everyone. Chamber also allowed the Chemist shop to remain open so that the patients do not suffer for want of medicines.
Regarding Chamber’s pending demands of abolition of toll tax at Lakhanpur after identifying few sensitive products manufactured by Industries, starting of works for AIIMS hospital , setting up of accountability mechanism for the ministers by the central leadership, modification in the Master Plan, Holding of enquiry regarding power crises, early notification announcing incentives to the industry and early deportation of Rohingyas, the Chamber shall hold a meeting of all the affiliated associations as soon as Navratars are over and decide the future course of action to get the genuine demands fulfilled. Regarding the demand of state holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh the Chamber felt shocked to see the response of the main organisations who were demanding it to be declared holiday but did not morally support the Jammu Bandh.
The Chamber of Commerce & Industry sincerely thanks the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry for their communication supporting most of the demands of Jammu Chamber and their advice on some divergent issues.
The Chamber conveys heartfelt thanks to all the members of the business community for voluntary compliance on observing peaceful shut down which clearly indicates their dissatisfaction towards the working of Ministers and the Chamber hopes that the Central leadership of BJP shall ensure that the issues on which they got the mandate from Jammu province are addressed at the earliest.