Srinagar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma on Sunday said politics can wait and humanity should come first as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to postpone its proposed July 20 protest in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the flash floods that caused heavy loss of life and property in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Sharma, said the party had decided to defer tomorrow’s protest, which was scheduled to begin from Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk and culminate at the Civil Secretariat, as the current situation demanded humanitarian support rather than political activity.
LoP Sharma said this is not the time for political confrontation and all political parties should unite in helping the affected people.
“Politics can wait. At this moment, humanity should come first and every political party should stand with the victims,” he said.
He said the BJP’s central and J&K leadership, along with party workers, are deeply saddened by the tragedy and have resolved to stand with the affected people instead of holding demonstrations.
“As a responsible political party, we have decided to postpone the protest. This is not the time for politics when people are grieving and looking for help. Holding a protest at this stage will also hamper the administration’s rescue operations,” Sharma said.
He said the protest had only been postponed and not cancelled, adding that a fresh date would be announced after the situation normalises.
LoP Sharma said BJP teams would immediately leave for Poonch to assist victims and extend all possible support to families affected by the disaster.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are closely monitoring the situation and have spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the ground situation.
He added that the party have also been directed to visit the affected areas, assess the situation and convey the ground realities to the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government.
Referring to the scale of the disaster, Sharma said one death had been officially reported in Rajouri while another person was feared missing, whereas 16 deaths had been reported in Poonch.
“These are not official figures. Based on information available with the party, the overall death toll in the two districts appears to be around 18,” he said.
He said flash floods had also affected Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar and Bani-Basohli, though no major loss of life had been reported from these districts so far.
Sharma said the damage in Rajouri is unprecedented and could be the biggest loss to property witnessed in the history of natural disasters in Jammu and Kashmir, while rescue operations are still underway.
He also expressed grief over the tragedy in Surankote, Poonch, where eight members of a family were swept away in the floods, with only three bodies recovered so far.—(KNO)