Agitation for AIIMS in Jammu suspended after assurance

An agitation demanding an AIIMS in Jammu was suspended after Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh on Thursday made a "categoric assurance" that the demand would be fulfilled.

Singh gave the assurance when office bearers of the local bar association, chamber of commerce and industry and civil society members met him here.

An office bearer of the chamber of commerce and industry told IANS that the deputy chief minister gave them a "categoric assurance" that an AIIMS would be established in Jammu region as well.

The joint coordination committee of lawyers, traders and civil society members have been holding rotational hunger strikes for the fulfilment of their demand during the last fortnight.

The committee has called for a three-day Jammu bandh from June 19 to press for their demand.

The minister, also a BJP leader, held two-hour long discussion with the representatives of the committee after which the agitation was suspend till July 20.

"All agitational programmes have been called off till that date. State government has agreed to give us a written assurance on establishment of AIIMS in Jammu by July 18," the chamber office bearer said.

After the central government announced an AIIMS for the Kashmir Valley earlier this year, traders, lawyers and industrialists have been up in arms in Jammu for allotment of a similar institute in the region.