Opposition slams BJP over crime rise; BJP says ‘people deserve secure environment’
Arteev Sharma
Jammu: As criticism of the UT administration intensifies and worries over Jammu city’s worsening law and order escalate, the BJP unit of Jammu and Kashmir today flagged its concerns with the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urging him to take immediate action to ensure public safety.
The move comes in the wake of a broad daylight robbery in the busy Greater Kailash area on February 1, a surge in thefts, and the recent murder of an alleged gangster in the busy Jewel area. The growing law and order concerns have triggered a political backlash, with opposition parties blaming the BJP for the deteriorating security situation.
The BJP general secretary and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to discuss the alarming crime rate in Jammu. Sharma urged the LG to direct the police department to take swift action and restore public confidence in law enforcement.
Opposition parties have targeted the BJP for “celebrating” the revocation of Article 370 as an “achievement”, arguing that the surge in crimes, including murders and robberies, is a direct consequence of the August 2019 decision.
The BJP, which had secured 29 out of 43 assembly seats in the Jammu region in the last elections, now finds itself in a difficult position as it grapples with growing concerns over deteriorating law and order in Jammu city.
Taking to social media platform ‘X,’ the Congress party expressed its concerns over the worsening situation, stating, “The recent spurt in criminal activities indicates a worsening law & order situation in Jammu, the city of temples. Fear grips common people. @JmuKmrPolice should take effective steps to improve the sense of safety & security amongst citizens.”
Senior vice president of the Jammu and Kashmir Awami National Conference, Muzzafar Shah, also took a dig at the BJP, saying, “A brutal killing in Kashmir yesterday, gunmen opening fire in Jammu today—where is the ‘improved security’ Mr. Home Minister? A complete security failure! J&K will never accept the August 5 decision, its bifurcation & downgraded UT status. Spare us this mess!”
Former Jammu Municipal Corporation Corporator Gourav Chopra also raised concerns over the law and order situation, stating, “Firing incidents raise a serious concern about law & order in Jammu. Is this a UT or UP? This Mafia-style violence was never seen in Jammu before August 5, 2019. People were living in peace, but now a tense situation has been created after witnessing these daylight shootings.”
An official BJP spokesperson of the BJP, however, said, “Sharma called on the LG to discuss the prevailing situation in the UT, particularly in Jammu, regarding the increase in thefts, murders, and robberies.”
During the meeting, Sharma emphasized that the deteriorating law and order situation was instilling fear among residents. He called for enhanced policing, stricter enforcement of laws, and effective initiatives to curb criminal activities.
“The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve a secure environment. Rising crime not only threatens public safety but also impacts tourism and economic development,” Sharma stated. He urged the administration to increase police patrolling, set up special task forces, and leverage technology such as CCTV surveillance to deter criminals.
He also stressed the need for stronger measures against the growing drug menace, which is affecting the youth. Sharma called for rehabilitation programs, awareness campaigns, and stringent action against drug peddlers to address the crisis.
Reaffirming the BJP’s commitment to ensuring a safer and more prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to help curb crime in the region.
