The Jammu and Kashmir Congress today expressed shock and anger over withdrawal of 72-hour long bandh call to intensify the agitation demanding setting up of AIIMS here, calling it another "betrayal" by the BJP.
"It was another betrayal by the BJP in the state. We express shock over withdrawal of the bandh call under pressure of BJP", JK Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Spokesman Ravinder Sharma, said.
He said that Congress would continue to agitate for the grant of the AIIMS to Jammu.
Senior Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leaders, who resorted to dharna at Jantar Mantar in the national capital today in support of the demand for AIIMS in Jammu, expressed shock and anger on the withdrawal of the Jammu Bandh call proposed for 19th, 20th and 21st June, a party statement said.
Condemning the BJP for "another betrayal" with the people of Jammu, the JKNPP alleged, "the party betrayed Jammu's cause in 1978, and then during Amarnath land row."
"Panthers are proud that it initiated the movement and with the participation of Jammu people, it showed its results. BJP again played another fraud but that is shortlived," the statement said.
The Panthers Party shall continue its movement at all costs, it said, adding that it shall continue to hold protests and dharna in Delhi and Jammu.
The bandh call given by AIIMS coordination committee was called off today after the Jammu and Kashmir government assured to hold talks with the Centre and take a decision on the issue by July 20.
"We have given an assurance to the AIIMS coordination committee that we will talk to Centre to obtain appropriate orders by July 20", Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh told reporters after a four-and-a-half hour long discussion with the AIIMS committee here.
