Supported by various political, non-political and social organisations, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party on Friday appealed for 'Jammu Bandh' to the people against the Sarore Toll Post and suspended mobile internet services since August 5 after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcating the state in to two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Addressing a joint press conference held by several organisations of Jammu here on Friday appealing to the people to observe complete shut down on Saturday, so as to express solidarity with cause of Jammu projected, the representatives of various Jammu based organisations unanimously announced to participate in the 'Bandh' called against the moves of the government in banning the mobile internet services with no time frame fixed for restoration of the services.
JKNPP Chairman and former minister Harsh Dev Singh flanked by other party leaders Balwant Singh Mankotia and Yash Paul Kundal here told reporters that the issues including winding up of Toll Plaza Sarore, withdrawal of 9-11 per cent token tax on vehicles, curb on soaring prices of vegetables, and other essential commodities, review of transfer of registration powers are among Jammu related issues projected by the NPP.
The supporters said that the people of Jammu were being perpetually subjected to a biased treatment despite their nationalist credentials and in spite of the fact that they had fully supported and endorsed the government's move of abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A.
They condemned in one voice the failure of the government control rising prices besides imposition of heavy token tax on vehicles.
The Students, Traders, Professionals besides the public at large has been badly hit due to the unending blockade of internet services. The students who are largely dependent upon online studies have immensely suffered during the last around four months of internet ban with no signs of its restoration in the near future, they added.
The members said that further, the ever growing number of Toll Plazas in Jammu is another cause of concern with such taxation counters being established in violation of Govt. of India norms.
"While the people were assured of disbanding of Sarore Toll Plaza by BJP leaders, the GoI has contrarily regularized the same with the announcement of Fastag having been made as a mandatory requirement," they added.
They also appealed to the civil society, social and political organisations, student unions, youth organisations, Traders and Transporters, Rehri and Phari Unions, Matador, Bus and Taxi Unions besides others to make the Bandh a complete success.