Jammu: Union minister and BJP leader Anurag Thakur on Tuesday targeted the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) and alleged that the “gang” built big palatial estates and encroached the state land while the Narendra Modi government built bunkers for the soldiers at the border.
Thakur, who hit the campaign trail for the 5th phase of the District Development Council (DDC) polls in Jammu and Kashmir, said the BJP government at the Centre has strengthened national security and modernised the armed forces.
“The Gupkar gang built big palatial estates, encroached government land while the Narendra Modi government focused on building bunkers for our jawans at the International Border,” Thakur said.
The PAGD was formed by seven mainstream parties including the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party to press for the restoration of the pre-August 05, 2019, position to J&K. The alliance is headed by NC president Farooq Abdullah and PDP’s chief Mehbooba Mufti is its vice-chairperson. The BJP has been targeting it by calling it “Gupkar gang”.
Thakur said, “Today India has Rafales and our jawans have bullet-proof vests and bunkers to face enemy fire. India looks the enemy eye to eye and does not hesitate in counter terror operations to protect Indian lives.”
“We have stronger firepower, air defence and surveillance systems in place,” he added.
The BJP leader said the villages bordering Pakistan, which were prone to infiltration and shelling from across the border, are now “better protected”.
“The bunkers help the jawans keep an eye on the enemy in safety and alert their command in time to prevent any civilian casualties,” he said.
Thakur said bunkers have been built in crucial areas like Samba, Poonch, Jammu, Kathua and Rajouri.
“The border roads and fencing has also been undertaken by the Modi government at a rapid scale, which has provided better connectivity and increased security cover for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“Gupkar gang allowed the civilians to bleed and jawans to face enemy fire while protecting their self interests. Why did they speak up for terrorists but never for our soldiers and their families?
“Why did they ask for human rights for separatists but not the rights of the widows of our jawans? Why did the Gupkar gang live a lavish life while the people of J&K lagged behind in every sector?” Thakur asked.
He said the BJP government has set a target to transform the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The government will expand public services, build infrastructure, provide educational and health facilities, bring investment and create employment, he said.
Chugh launches J&K BJP’s official social media handles
Srinagar: BJP general secretary and Jammu and Kashmir in-charge Tarun Chugh on Tuesday launched official social media handles of the party’s unit in the union territory.
Launching the Twitter handle, and Instagram and Facebook pages of the Jammu and Kashmir BJP, Chugh said, “BJP wants to have an impact and wants the people to join them in the mission J&K”.
Chugh said the “party can change the way the young generations are learning about our country”.
“Finding solutions is essential if people of J&K want to make most of our caring (sic). The BJP wants to engage the young people by letting them know that we believe in them and more importantly we need them,” he added.
Chugh said the BJP has been for the last several years engaging aggressively with the leaders of the union territory to convey that the party wants nothing more than a stable, prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir.
“The party will work in J&K to eradicate the extremism that is considered as cancer and that can potentially engulf the whole country,” he said.
