The Pragatisheel Jan Manch Srinagar, Garhwal will stage Garhwal Bandh on October 2 in support of the demand for the construction of permanent campus of National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Sumadi with few other demands, if the demands are not met up to that date.
The agitating Pregatisheel Jan Manch had conducted a Jan Chetana rally in support of the demand for the construction of NIT in Sumadi and few other demands on the weekend. The Jan Chetana rally moved through the main market area of Srinagar and converted in public meeting on the Ramleela ground.The agitation of the Manch has been continuing since June 15 in support of the demands.
While addressing in the public meeting, former MlA of Srinagar and chairman of Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee, Ganesh Godiyal said that former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had sown the seeds of the NIT in Srinagar and then the former state Congress government had provided the land in Sumadi village in Srinagar Tehsil of the Pauri district apart from also trying to sanction of `600 crore for the construction of permanent structure of NIT in Sumadi. Godiyal said that geological survey ascertained that the land was suitable for construction of the NIT, but now it is being said that land is not fit for the construction of NIT. Godiyal also questioned as to why the authorities had constructed a boundary wall and also had many green trees axed on the land if it was not suitable for construction of the NIT building. He also alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party state government is unnecessarily creating problems.He said that the state government is responsible for the transfer of doctors from Joint Hospital at Srinagar and for not providing pure drinking water. Pragatisheel Jan Manch president Anil Swami said that the state government is not serious in addressing issues of public interest. He stressed that the Garhwal bandh will be observed on October 2 in support of the demands including the construction of NIT building in Sumadi.