BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay, who originally moved the proposal of setting up of Sainik colonies in Kashmir Valley, stated that J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was his good friend and she would set up Sainik Colonies at appropriate time.
Sainik Colonies in Kashmir, Vijay said, was like planting planting saffron in Kashmir. This move would as per the BJP MP, would bring ‘fragrance of Indianess and principal mainstream of patriotic India to Valley to overcome the smell smell of stone pelting and guns.’
The issue of J&K government’s proposal to start process for identification of land for Sainik Colonies triggered controversy in the state. The opposition National Conference leader and former chief minister Omar Abdullah, termed it as a move to settle non-state subjects in J&K, while pro-freedom leaders Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq referred it to as a move to ‘change demography of the state.’
“I have full faith in Mehbooba Mufti, who is a good friend and I trust her. Whenever she thinks atmosphere is okay. She can do it and set up the cities not only colonies Sainiks,” Vijay told ET.
As of now Mufti led PDP-BJP government has refuted all the reports regarding setting up of the Sainik Colonies in the Valley. Mufti said she had no idea about the issue and senior PDP minister Naem Akhtar alleged that these reports were being floated to disturb peace in the state.
“It is the right of jawans to get a piece of land in Valley for which they have been shedding their blood and becoming martyrs,” said Vijay adding, “Sainik Colonies, will be like planting saffron and Tulip in a strife torn land. It will be fragrance of Indianess.”
According to Vijay, he has been pushing for the Sainik Colonies in parliament and is keeping himself abreast with all the information regarding the issue from the state.
“These colonies would help government and be shield against many elements. Besides it would help to bring youngsters in Kashmir into the national mainstream of progress and prosperity,” Vijay added. The youngsters (of Kashmir) should, the BJP leader said should meaningfully national reconstruction led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
