JAMMU: A team of BJP legislators visiting the Warehouse Complex wholesale market in Jammu on Monday to express condolences to traders who suffered losses in a fire on Diwali night faced angry shopkeepers, who questioned why the party held dharnas over some issues but not for them.
"You always sit on dharna outside the Legislative Assembly, but why did you not hold a sit-in for those whose livelihood has been snatched on Diwali day?" Deepak Gupta, president of the Warehouse Traders Federation, asked Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma. "You will also leave after giving us assurances like the government," he said.
Fire incidents at more than 60 locations across the Jammu division during Diwali caused damage to commercial establishments and residential properties estimated at nearly Rs 100 crore, according to media organisation report. The Warehouse Complex, one of the oldest wholesale markets in Jammu and Kashmir, dealing in foodgrains, edible oil and other essential commodities, was among the worst-affected areas. A fire broke out at one of its establishments around 9:15 pm on Sunday and spread to nearby shops.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the damage and directed officials to provide immediate assistance to those affected. Union Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed shock over the fire at the Warehouse Complex and urged the authorities to take action on priority.
Gupta also questioned why the BJP had failed to secure relief for the 29 shopkeepers whose establishments were gutted in a fire at Shiv Market near Jammu railway station on October 25. He said the trader community had lost hope in both the government and the Opposition.
Sharma later announced that all 29 BJP MLAs would contribute from their Constituency Development Funds to help the affected traders. He also said the party would approach the administration to seek relaxation of rules to facilitate direct financial assistance. A six-member inspection committee was formed under MLA Sham Lal Sharma to assess the damage. (with inputs from media organisations)