Congress Slams BJP’s “Normalcy” Claims, Demands All-Party Meeting on IIOJK Crisis

As violent incidents escalate in Jammu, Congress IIOJK president Tariq Hameed Karra challenges the BJP’s claims of normalcy in IIOJK and calls for urgent discussions to address the growing security concerns.

Tariq Hameed Karra, the president of Congress in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) claims of “normalcy” in the region following the abrogation of Article 370. Karra’s remarks came as he called for an all-party meeting to address the worsening security situation in IIOJK.

Speaking to reporters at the Congress office in Jammu, Karra highlighted the recent surge in violent incidents, particularly in the Jammu region, as a sign that militancy has spread beyond the Kashmir Valley. He stated that this expansion contradicts the BJP’s narrative that peace and stability had returned to the region after the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Karra’s statement followed a major cordon and search operation launched by Indian forces in the dense forests of Hiranagar in Kathua district. He questioned the BJP’s claims, asking, “If the government insists that everything is fine, why has militancy intensified in Jammu, a region previously declared militancy-free by earlier governments?”

The Congress leader accused the BJP of playing politics and disregarding the growing security threat. He argued that the government must take responsibility for the increasing violent activities, given that the police forces are directly under its control. Karra pointed to the ongoing operation in Hiranagar as another example of the intensifying security crisis, with militants reportedly striking at will.

Karra’s comments reflect a growing concern among local leaders about the deteriorating situation in IIOJK, especially as violence spreads to previously peaceful areas. He criticized the BJP for continuing to push its “false narrative” of normalcy and peace, calling it a hollow approach that does nothing to address the actual security challenges faced by the region.

In light of the situation, Karra urged the government to convene an all-party meeting to discuss measures to tackle the rising violence. “This is the biggest concern for all of us,” he said, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort to address the security threat.

As the region deals with increasing violence and instability, the demand for a meaningful and effective response has never been more urgent. Karra’s call for a united political front comes at a time when many question the government’s handling of the ongoing crisis.