Karra seeks rollback of trade deal with US

Jammu, Mar 5: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday sought roll-back of the Indo-US trade deal, by describing it against the interests of countrymen, mainly farmers and small traders.

He also questioned, what he alleged as “the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence vis-a-vis attack on Iran by US-Israel forces.

While addressing a protest rally at Rajiv Chowk in Gangyal area of Jammu, to oppose, what it was alleged, “the anti-farmers and anti-people Indo-US trade deal”, Karra announced that the Congress party in J&K would hold protests at all district headquarters against it (deal) on March 9, the opening day of Parliament, seeking its (deal’s) recall.

He also stated that JKPCC would continue to fight for statehood, “illegally and undemocratically denied to people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

Karra alleged that the deal compromised the interests of farmers, fruit growers, milk producers, daily and poultry sectors etc besides several other fields.

“It will be the biggest blow to farmers and common people, small traders, after demonetization and the anti-farmers black laws, which were withdrawn after several sacrifice and long drawn struggle by farmers,” JKPCC president said, while criticising, what he alleged, “flop foreign policy of Modi government.”

“Iran was an all-weather friend of India and helped us during the economic crisis and in the UN on the Kashmir issue against Pakistan but the present central government did not condemn the US-Israel attack on a sovereign country and killing its supreme leader,” Karra said.

The rally was organised under the leadership of JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla along with Congress team of Gangyal and addressed by senior leaders and former ministers including Mula Ram, Yogesh Sawhney, Jugal Kishore, Yash Pal Kundal and ex legislators.

Raman Bhalla also criticised the Indo-US trade deal and alleged that the BJP regime was misleading people by false claims and dividing them in the name of religion.

“A false promise of restoration of statehood was made by the Modi government on the floor of the House six years ago. But it has not been fulfilled. Congress continues to fight for it but all BJP MLAs, MPs are maintaining criminal silence,” Bhalla alleged.

He announced that another Kissan rally would be held in protest against the Indo-US trade deal at Makhanpur Gujran in R S Pura area. The rally was also addressed by senior leaders, Sarpanchs, panchs and other local leaders.