Agitation for AIIMS in Jammu Resumes Again

With no clear picture coming out from the Government over the setting up of the proposed AIIMS campus in Jammu, the agitation has once again started in the region on Tuesday. Significantly more than 70 religious, social, political, business and civil society groups have been spearheading the agitation in support of setting up an AIIMS in Jammu region under the banner of ACC (AIIMS Coordination Committee) The committee had started a chain hunger strike on June 11 to set up AIIMS campus at Jammu. But on the written assurance of the Deputy Chief Minister Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh last month that AIIMS would be announced by July 20, the agitators had postponed their agitation. "BJP is committed to its promise of granting of AIIMS to Jammu. It has been decided at the highest level. We are not going back on the written assurance given to the coordination committee. We are committed and reiterate that AIIMS will be granted to Jammu, but it is only a matter of time as it is a policy decision", said Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh. The minister has also appealed the members to defer their agitation in view of the Amarnath Yatra, Vaisho Devi cave shrine visit and the tourism season. "I appeal to people and members of the coordination committee, who are on path of agitation, should defer any type of agitation over the issue in view of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra", he said further. "It is the season of pilgrimage to Amarnath and Vaishno Devi cave shrines besides the tourism season so they should reconsider their decision of going on agitation. I hope that everything will be put right soon and the AIIMS announcement would be made to keep in view the aspirations of the people of Jammu with it", he added. (Input from PTI)