Rahul Gandhi arrives in Jammu on three-day visit

Amid reports of continuous ceasefire violation at the Line of Control, Rahul met the families affected by the Pakistani troops' shelling in Balakote area in Poonch district.

While interacting with the families of those martyred and injured in the shelling from across the border, Gandhi expressed grief and sorrow and told them that he has come to share their pain and sufferings. He expressed his sympathies and solidarity with them.

The victim families and other residents near Loc narrated their woes and hardships being faced by them, who live under constant threat to their lives and loss to their properties.

They demanded insurance cover to their lives and property including cross and safe shelters for their living.

Gandhi while expressing concern over their plight and sufferings justified their demands and demanded that the government of India and State government should take positive steps in this direction. He lauded their valour and described them as  unarmed soldiers of the country. He assured them that Congress party would do every thing possible to voice their concern and support their genuine demands.

Responding to media queries about BJP’s charge that Congress is politicizing border situation, Gandhi said that it is unfortunate that they (BJP)see politics in it, when we come to share the grief and pain of the victims and raise the voice about their sufferings. He said that BJP leadership made tall claims in this regard during elections but forget to fulfill,  when came to power both at the Centre and in the State.

He took a dig at the Prime Minister for his silence over various commitments and promises made to the people during election campaign, be it border situation, terrorism or issues of corruption and impropriety of their leaders in various matters and the promise of transferring Rs. 15 lakhs to the bank accounts of  countrymen by bringing back black money.

Later interacting with the representatives of Panchayats from across Jammu region here at Jammu, Gandhi listened to their views and experiences about the present functioning of the Panchayati Raj in the State.