BJP State President & MLA Sat Sharma, along with Leader of Legislative Party & Former Deputy CM Dr. Nirmal Singh, MPs Jugal Kishore Sharma and Shamsher Singh Manhas, MLAs Ravinder Raina, Rajeev Sharma and Dr. Krishan Lal Bhagat, MLCs Ramesh Arora and Vibodh Gupta, Kissan Board Vice Chairman Daljeet Singh Chib paid floral tributes to the martyrs of 1953 Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan agitation in a programme at Jourian.
They laid wreaths at the Shaheedi Sthal, a memorial constructed in memory of seven Martyrs namely Mela Ram, Baryam Singh, Baldev Singh, Basant Ram, Nanak Chand, Trilok Singh and Sain Singh. They also hoisted National Flag amid singing of National Anthem.
Later, these leaders paid their tributes in “Shradhanjali Sabha” at Jourian Bazar.
Sat Sharma, while paying tributes, said that these martyrs laid down their lives for the complete integration of the state with the rest of the country and opposed the provision of separate flag, separate constitution and the provision of the post of Prime Minister. He said that the real tributes to them will be to take pledge to work for fulfilling the dreams of these great patriots. He told the gathering that the Centre government has sanctioned rupees 206.90 crore for Jourian-Pargwal Bridge over river Chenab and highlighted a number of schemes for the poor and needy.
Dr. Nirmal Singh said that although we are paying tributes to these seven martyrs but in our state still people get martyrdom everyday as our soldiers, members of para-military forces, policemen and even civilians lay down their lives for the cause of the nation. He spoke on the ten month rule of PDP-BJP coalition and said that a number of path breaking decisions were taken with zero tolerance towards corruption. “Amnesty scheme for electricity consumers, food safety act, initiating of major developmental projects in health, education, tourism sectors are few of them”, said Dr. Nirmal Singh and added that package for PoJK refugees and provision of five marla plot at safer places for border people are the results of the sincere efforts of coalition government.
Jugal Kishore Sharma, while announcing Rupees ten lakh for face lift of the Shaheedi Sthal, highlighted various central schemes like Mudra Bank, Ladli Beti and enhancement of emoluments of SPOs, setting up of five Battalion of IRP and said that the programmes and policies of Modi led government are designed to benefit the youth, farmers, border people etc.
Shamsher Singh Manhas said that while the country became independent in 1947 but our state become slave as its citizens did not enjoy the same freedom like other states. He said that today we feel pride of living in a democratic setup but credit for the same goes to these martyrs. He announced Rupees ten lakh from MP LAD for further renovation of the Shaheedi Sthal.He also appealed the people to see themselves the works undertaken by the previous coalition government in the state and not get misled by the opposition parties propaganda.
MLC Vibodh Gupta also announced rupees five lakh for the facelift of the Shaheedi Sthal.
These leaders also visited Kissan Mela organized by Kissan Board with the involvements of various departments.
The gathering was also addressed by Rajeev Sharma, Dr. Krishan Lal Bhagat, Ravinder Raina, Ramesh Arora, Vibodh Gupta, Daljeet Singh Chib, Manmohan Singh and Sat Pal Kakushah.
