KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Right wing Hindu nationalist lawmaker Tarun Vijay has said that “Sainik Colony would be like planting saffron in Kashmir”.
Vijay is BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay and he had proposed setting up of Sainik colonies in Kashmir Valley.
In an interview to The Economic Times, he stated that J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti was his “good friend” and “she would set up Sainik Colonies at appropriate time”.
“This move would bring fragrance of Indianess and principal mainstream of patriotic India to Valley to overcome the smell of stone pelting and guns,” he told the newspaper.
The proposed move to establish “Sainik Colony” in Kashmir has come under severe criticism and Hurriyat leaders termed it as a ploy of “attacking the demography of J&K”.
NC’s Omar Abdullah alleged it was a ploy to settle non-state subjects in J&K.
However, CM Mehbooba Mufti, on her day first in civil secretariat Srinagar, she said, “the demand for Sainik Colony came up from state subject ex-army men but no land was allotted to them, so far.”
“I have full faith in Ms Mehbooba Mufti, who is a good friend and I trust her. Whenever she thinks atmosphere is okay. She can do it and set up the cities not only colonies Sainiks,” Vijay told ET.
“It is the right of Jawans to get a piece of land in Valley for which they have been shedding their blood and becoming martyrs,” said Vijay adding, “Sainik Colonies, will be like planting saffron and Tulip in a strife torn land. It will be fragrance of Indianess.”
According to Vijay, he has been pushing for the Sainik Colonies in parliament and is keeping himself abreast with all the information regarding the issue from the state.
“These colonies would help government and be shield against many elements. Besides it would help to bring youngsters in Kashmir into the national mainstream of progress and prosperity,” Vijay added.
