POONCH, MAY 13: JKPCC President Tariq Hameed Karra has said that the Prime Minister should announce a special comprehensive package for the relief and rehabilitation of the affected population.
Strongly condemning Pakistan for targeting the civilian population in Poonch, Rajouri, and elsewhere, Karra shared grief and sorrow with the families of those martyred or injured, besides acknowledging the severe loss to livestock and property. Accompanied by Working President Raman Bhalla, Ex-Chairman JKLC Jahangir Mir and AICC secretaries, the team undertook an extensive tour of different affected areas of Poonch district to meet bereaved families and those who suffered damage to livestock, houses, and other property. Karra, along with other leaders, visited Baila in the Mandi area of Poonch and offered condolences to the family of Islamic scholar Qari Mohammed Iqbal, as well as another person martyred in shelling in Bandichechian.
Karra regretted that a martyr was wrongly labeled by a section of the national media as a terrorist, which is highly condemnable. He demanded appropriate legal action, stating that such misrepresentation has hurt the grieving family and right-thinking individuals across society, while also damaging the martyr’s reputation and causing grave mischief. The team also visited Chaj Troh, where two children were buried after being martyred in Dungas near Christ School. Earlier, Karra and other senior leaders visited Budda Amarnath Temple and Dera Nangali Sahib and offered prayers for peace, harmony, and brotherhood. Later, they visited Bagyala Masjid Zia-ul-Uloom, Poonch City, Gita Bhawan, Gurudwara Singh Sabha Mohalla, and the house of martyr Surjan Singh. They also visited the hospital to inquire about the injured.
Talking to reporters, Karra condemned Pakistan for targeting the civilian population, causing significant loss of life and property, and reiterated that Poonch is the worst-affected district in the country. He expressed regret that the Prime Minister did not mention Poonch even once in his speech yesterday. He urged the Prime Minister to accept the Congress demand for an all-party meeting and a special session of Parliament to discuss the full details of the situation, from the Pahalgam carnage to the ceasefire brokered by a third country. He said the nation has a right to know about all aspects of the past twenty days and the terms of the ceasefire, as well as the measures and packages needed for relief and rehabilitation of the large number of affected people.