Srinagar, July 19, KDC: Leader of Opposition (LoP) and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sunil Sharma on Sunday announced that the party has postponed its proposed July 20 protest in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the devastating flash floods in Poonch and Rajouri, saying the priority at this time should be humanitarian relief rather than political activity.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sharma, accompanied by BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma, State Vice President Shehnaz Gania, General Secretaries Gopal Mahajan and Anwar Khan, and party spokesperson Zorawar Singh, said the protest, which was scheduled to begin from Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk, and culminate at the Civil Secretariat, has been deferred in view of the prevailing situation in the flood-hit districts.
“Politics can wait. At this moment, humanity should come first and every political party should stand with the victims,” Sharma said.
He said the BJP’s central leadership, the Jammu and Kashmir unit and party workers were deeply distressed by the loss of lives and destruction caused by the flash floods and had unanimously decided to postpone the demonstration.
“As a responsible political party, we have decided to postpone the protest. This is not the time for politics when people are grieving and looking for help. Holding a protest at this stage will also hamper the administration’s rescue operations,” he said.
Sharma clarified that the protest had only been postponed and not cancelled, adding that a fresh date would be announced once the situation normalises.
He said BJP teams would immediately leave for the affected districts of Poonch and Rajouri to assist the victims and extend all possible support to the affected families.
“Our workers and leaders will reach the affected areas to assist the people in every possible way. At this moment, our focus is on relief and rehabilitation,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were closely monitoring the evolving situation and had spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review rescue and relief operations.
He added that senior BJP leaders had also been directed to visit the affected areas, assess the extent of damage and convey the ground situation to the Centre as well as the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Referring to the scale of the tragedy, Sharma said the official reports indicated one death in Rajouri, while another person was feared missing. He said 16 deaths had been reported from Poonch.
“These are not official figures. Based on information available with the party, the overall death toll in the two districts appears to be around 18,” he said.
Sharma said flash floods had also affected Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and the Bani-Basohli belt, though no major loss of life had been reported from these districts so far.
Describing the devastation in Rajouri as unprecedented, he said the district had suffered massive damage to public and private property and termed it one of the worst natural disasters witnessed in the region.
He also expressed grief over the tragedy in Surankote, Poonch, where eight members of a family were reportedly swept away in the flash floods.
“The tragedy in Surankote is heartbreaking. Our prayers are with the bereaved families, and we hope those still missing are traced at the earliest,” Sharma said, adding that the BJP would continue to stand with the affected people until normalcy is restored. (KDC)
