From The Indian Express · Arun Sharma · · 2m
BJP faces trader anger over Jammu fire losses
Traders confront opposition leaders at wholesale market after Diwali fires destroy nearly 100 crore rupees in stock and property.
In brief
Traders confront opposition leaders at wholesale market after Diwali fires destroy nearly 100 crore rupees in stock and property. Traders at Jammu's Warehouse Complex confronted BJP leaders over fire losses, saying the party failed to protect their interests and questioning its commitment to the region. Originally…
Diwali fires sweep Jammu division
Fire incidents at more than 60 places during Diwali celebrations across Jammu division destroyed commercial establishments and residential houses valued at nearly Rs 100 crore.
Warehouse Complex hit hardest
The Warehouse Complex, one of J&K's oldest commercial wholesale markets dealing in foodgrains, edible oil and essential commodities, caught fire around 9.15 pm and spread rapidly to nearby shops.
BJP leaders visit to express sympathy
A team of BJP legislators led by Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma visited the Warehouse Complex on Monday to express sympathy with traders who had incurred massive losses.
Traders confront BJP over failures
Deepak Gupta, president of the Warehouse Traders Federation, confronted LoP Sunil Sharma, asking why BJP leaders held sit-ins outside the Legislative Assembly but not for those whose livelihoods were destroyed on Diwali.
“You always sit on dharna outside Legislative Assembly, but why did you not hold sit-in for those whose livelihood has been snatched on Diwali day?”
Gupta questions BJP's promises
Gupta told Sharma that BJP leaders would leave after giving assurances just like the government, suggesting traders had no faith in either the ruling party or the opposition.
“You will also leave after giving us assurances like the government.”
Traders invoke Article 370 abrogation
Gupta claimed that despite Article 370 being abrogated with support from Jammu residents, it is only they who have suffered in the past 12 years, linking the fire losses to broader regional grievances.
Earlier Shiv Market fire unresolved
Gupta referenced an October 25 fire near the railway station at Shiv Market that destroyed 29 shops and caused losses of several crores, saying BJP had failed to get justice for those traders.
Chair is not permanent
Turning to BJP MP Jugal Kishore, Gupta expressed displeasure that Warehouse shopkeepers could not get 500 kanals of land for construction of godowns, saying the political position held by the MP was not permanent.
“Chair is not permanent.”
BJP announces relief package
LoP Sunil Sharma announced that all 29 BJP MLAs will contribute from their Constituency Development Funds to aid shopkeepers impacted by the Warehouse Complex fire and push the administration to relax rules for direct financial…
Inspection committee formed
A six-member inspection committee was formed under MLA Sham Lal Sharma alongside other party leaders to evaluate the damage at the Warehouse Complex.
The takeaway
Traders at Jammu's Warehouse Complex confronted BJP leaders over fire losses, saying the party failed to protect their interests and questioning its commitment to the region.
