Jammu: Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Monday visited the fire-hit Warehouse Complex near Nehru Market in Jammu, where a massive blaze on Sunday evening damaged more than 15 shops, causing losses worth crores of rupees.
He was accompanied by MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, former BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina, MLAs Arvind Gupta, Yudhvir Sethi and Vikram Randhawa, and BJP General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria. During the visit, Sharma met affected traders and assured them of the party’s support.
Expressing concern over the repeated fire incidents, Sharma said Jammu had witnessed two major market fires within two weeks, first at Shiv Market near the Railway Station and now at Nehru Market. He stressed that affected traders needed concrete financial assistance rather than assurances.
In consultation with BJP State President Sat Sharma, Sunil Sharma announced a six-member committee headed by MLA Sham Lal Sharma. The committee will include Dr Narinder Singh, MLAs Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, along with BJP General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria.
The committee will assess the losses suffered by traders in both Nehru Market and Shiv Market, prepare a comprehensive list of affected shopkeepers and take up the matter with the government for time-bound compensation and rehabilitation. It will also pursue the demand for allowing MLAs to use their Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to assist the affected traders.
Sunil Sharma demanded adequate compensation beyond routine relief norms and called for additional fire tenders, compact fire vehicles and quick-response units in the Warehouse area to tackle emergencies in narrow market lanes.
He also urged the government to identify a separate and isolated location for warehouses and the storage of inflammable materials, away from crowded commercial and residential areas.
Referring to the earlier Shiv Market fire, Sharma criticised the Omar Abdullah-led government for allegedly failing to announce a clear relief amount or timeline for affected traders. He urged the government to move beyond assurances and take immediate action.
He reiterated that traders affected by both fire incidents deserve timely compensation, proper rehabilitation and stronger fire safety arrangements across Jammu’s commercial establishments.
