BJP trying to divide the people in Doda: Mangat Ram Sharma

Jammu, May 22 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Transport Minister Mangat Ram Sharma has accused the BJP of trying to divide the people of Doda district on communal lines.

Talking to mediapersons here, Mr Sharma said the BJP is vitiating the peace process that is gaining momentum and accused the opposition party of making political capital out of the Basantgarh and Kulhand massacres early this month.

''Even the party's crowd puller campaign in the form of yatras has not yielded the expected gains. The BJP's yatras are an utter failure as the people have realised their real agenda,'' he added.

He said, ''The BJP is a glaring example of pseudo-secularism, as when they are in power they talk high of secularism and when out of power, the party cries about Article 370 and Ram Mandir,'' he added.

In the wake of Basantgarh and Kulhand massacre, two battalions of Indian Reserve Police (IRP) would be raised by recruiting the local youth, preferably from those areas that are most vulnerable, he added.

The minister said over 5000 youth from the state would also be recruited in the CRPF and the BSF. A police post with a strength of 40 personnel has already been set up in carnage areas, he added.

On strengthening the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), Mr Sharma said so far 85 VDCs comprising 605 members has been constituted in Doda only.

He said in Kulhand 14 VDCs comprising 113 VDC members have been constituted besides establishment of an army camp. The state government has also provided seeds and fertilizers free of cost to the affected people.

Compensation of Rs one lakh has been paid to the next of the kin of the deceased while Rs 5000 in cash have been paid to each of the injured.

''A list of 35 orphans of the areas along with documents have been furnished to the authorities concerned at New Delhi to provide them scholarship,'' Mr Sharma added.

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