Opposition to Sainik Colony in Kashmir Valley is unjustified: BJP

Jammu: Condemning the call given by Hurriyat Conference for a shutdown in Kashmir on Friday, BJP said the opposition to establishment of a Sainik Colony in the Valley was "unjustified".

"We condemn the call given by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other Hurriyat leaders for a shutdown in Valley today. A soldier while defending his motherland or fellow countrymen does not differentiate between any region and religion," BJP state spokesperson Brigadier Anil Gupta said.

The cause of the soldiers should be supported by all irrespective of their individual beliefs. The soldiers deserve to have a piece of land for building a shelter for their families, he said.

"Unfortunately, rather than supporting the cause of the soldiers, separatists and Valley-centric politicians are playing divisive politics at their cost which has adverse impact on their morale," he said.

"J&K today has a large population of soldiers both serving and retired. There is only one Sainik Colony in the state. A Sainik Colony in the Valley is needed keeping in view the welfare of the soldiers belonging to the state.

"Those playing politics with the sentiments of the soldiers will have to pay a heavy price for the same because if soldiers decide to come to streets for their cause, it would be disastrous," he warned.