Dogra certificate revocation a surrender to separatists: BJP

He accused the state government of kowtowing to the diktats of separatists like Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

“NC-led coalition government is indulging in communal and divisive politics and taking all decisions depending upon diktats from separatist leaders like Geelani,” he said,and threatened to further intensify the protests if the demand to revoke the order is not met.

Addressing the activists,who burnt effigies and shouted anti-government slogans,Singh said the decision of the state government on the direction of UPA over the issue of Dogra Certificate has made it clear “that appeasement of separatists is on top of the agenda of both the state and central governments”.

BJYM State President Rajesh Gupta claimed that “Jammu lacked job opportunities as tourism,agriculture and private sector had not flourished due to the Kashmir-centric approach of the government”.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) also announced an agitation from May 11 for restoration of the Dogra certificate in Jammu region.

“The agitation will continue till the Dogra certificate is not restored,” party MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia told reporters here.

Accusing the Congress of succumbing to pressure from separatists and National Conference,Mankotia claimed that the decision to revoke the order was “an attempt to divide the people of Jammu”.

In a January order,the Union Home Ministry had announced relaxation for residents from Kashmir,Leh and Ladakh regions under the geographical criteria while extending the same relaxation for the Dogra people under the ethnic tribe community.

Taking a cue from this order,state revenue minister Raman Bhalla had directed the Tehsildars and Deputy Commissioners of Jammu to issue the Dogra certificates,a move which prompted angry reaction from separatists and some political parties alleging this was a clear attempt to divide the state on communal lines.