VDGs 1st line of defence, Omar trying to divide on religious lines: Jasrotia

Jammu, Sept 12: J&K BJP Spokesperson, Abhijeet Jasrotia, on Thursday said that NC has always weakened the VDGs and has defamed its members.

This was stated by Jasrotia, while addressing a press conference at BJP media center in reaction to Omar Abdullah’s video circulated in social media.

BJP spokespersons, Girdhari Lal Raina (former MLC) and Balbir Ram Rattan, Dr. Pradeep Mahotra, J&K BJP Media Incharge were also present in the press conference.

“Omar has labelled the VDG members are the workers of BJP,” Jasrotia said, adding, “This is a mockery of VDGs and targeting a particular community, who successfully prevented the major dislodgment of the locals from their native places to save their lives”.

“Is Mohd Sharief, who was martyred, a BJP worker?” Jasrotia questioned and added, “NC always weakened VDGs and its members were not given remuneration for months together”. 

Jasrotia accused Omar of dividing the VDGs along religious lines. He further said that the services and sacrifices of the VDGs in the fight against terrorism

VDGs are first line of defence in fight against terrorism, he said.

He reminded Abdullah that terrorism in the region started after the electoral manipulations of 1987, and that the former Chief Minister knows well why VDCs were created.

Jasrotia pointed out that both Hindus and Muslims were given arms, not on religious grounds, but to fight the terrorism. He asserted that everyone made sacrifice for peace in Jammu and Kashmir