J&K: 3-day Jammu bandh called on reported move to shift AIIMS unit

Jammu, June 16: A three-day Jammu bandh from June 19 has been called by an apex body of civil society groups here to protest the reported move to shift a proposed unit of the premier medical institute from Jammu to Kashmir Valley.

"The AIIMS Coordination Committee, during its meeting, decided to call for a complete Jammu bandh for three days from June 19 to June 21 to protest against the shifting of AIIMS from Jammu to Kashmir," Abhinav Sharma, President of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association Jammu told PTI.

He said various business organizations, which form the part of the AIIMS coordination committee, have supported Jammu bandh.

The AIIMS coordination committee, an amalgam of more than 70 social, religious, political, business and civil society groups including the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu, has been spearheading the agitation over the reported move to shift the proposed AIIMS from Jammu to Kashmir Valley.

On June 12, the Committee members started an indefinite relay hunger strike, which entered fifth day today, on the issue.

"The hunger strike will continue until and unless the government concedes the genuine and just demand of the people of Jammu who have been a victim of discrimination," Sharma said.

The AIIMS coordination committee has the backing of several political parties including Congress and Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP).

The leaders and workers of JKNPP will also be holding a protest outside parliament house in Delhi on June 18 to protest against the shifting of AIIMS from Jammu to Kashmir, JKNPP chairman Harsh Dev Singh said.

"The BJP which forms part of the government must come clean, the party stands exposed as it has taken U turn on all the important issues but we will continue our fight till we don't get what rightfully belongs to us," Singh Said.

PTI