JAMMU, Nov 11: Sunil Dimple, President of Mission Statehood, has appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally visit the fire-ravaged Warehouse and Shiv Market areas of Jammu and assess the losses suffered by affected shopkeepers. He demanded compensation of ₹1 crore for each fire-affected shopkeeper and urged the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and Union Home Minister to declare the incident a natural disaster.
Addressing the issue, Dimple said that the affected traders had suffered massive financial losses and were struggling to restore their livelihoods. He announced his support for the Jammu bandh call given by Warehouse traders and transporters, warning that the business community would not wait indefinitely for compensation.
Reacting sharply to the government’s decision to constitute an enquiry committee to investigate the Warehouse fire incident and submit its report within 15 days, Dimple questioned the purpose of such a prolonged process when businesses were already suffering.
He pointed out that the Warehouse market had remained closed for four days and questioned what the government expected traders to do during the 15-day enquiry period. He alleged that constituting committees was merely a tactic to delay immediate relief and compensation.
Referring to previous enquiry committees constituted after incidents, including the Mata Vaishno Devi landslide, Dimple claimed that several such committees had failed to produce satisfactory results. He expressed apprehension that the latest committee might also end without delivering concrete relief to the affected traders.
Dimple warned that Warehouse traders and transporters were prepared to observe a Jammu bandh if the government failed to announce the demanded compensation. He reiterated that the affected shopkeepers of both Warehouse and Shiv Market deserved immediate financial assistance rather than assurances and enquiry reports.
He also appealed to all BJP Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly from Jammu and Kashmir to donate one year’s salary towards the rehabilitation of fire-affected shopkeepers, stating that elected representatives should demonstrate solidarity through concrete financial assistance.
Expressing concern over the economic impact of the market closures, Dimple alleged that shortages of essential commodities, including cooking oil, flour, rice and other food items, had started affecting shops across Jammu city. He said the situation required urgent government intervention to prevent further inconvenience to the public.
Dimple also criticised the Chamber of Commerce and the Warehouse Traders’ Federation, alleging that they were acting under the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He further accused the Federation of creating unnecessary confrontations with government representatives, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, ministers and leaders of the National Conference, PDP, Congress and other organisations visiting the affected market.
He maintained that every political leader, minister and public representative had the democratic right to visit the affected traders, express solidarity and extend assistance. He said such visits should be welcomed rather than turned into political confrontations.
Targeting the BJP leadership, Dimple alleged that adequate financial assistance had not been provided to flood victims and Shiv Market shopkeepers and expressed apprehension that Warehouse traders might also be left without meaningful compensation. He claimed that the government was relying on enquiry committees instead of delivering immediate financial relief.
Dimple reiterated his demand for ₹1 crore compensation for each affected shopkeeper and urged the Lieutenant Governor, Union Home Minister and Chief Minister to intervene personally.
He said the immediate priority should be the rehabilitation of affected traders, restoration of business activities and protection of livelihoods, adding that the government must move beyond committee formations and take concrete decisions to address the crisis.