JAMMU, November 9, 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Monday visited the fire-ravaged Warehouse Complex near Nehru Market in Jammu and announced the formation of a six-member committee to assess losses suffered by traders affected by the recent fires at Nehru Market and Shiv Market.
The massive blaze at Nehru Market on Sunday evening reportedly caused extensive damage to more than 15 shops, leaving traders facing substantial financial losses and uncertainty over the future of their businesses.
During his visit, Sharma met affected traders, expressed solidarity with their families and assured them that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would stand firmly with those impacted by the tragedy.
Six-Member Committee Constituted to Assess Losses
In a statement, Sharma said the committee had been constituted in consultation with BJP Jammu and Kashmir president Sat Sharma to prepare a comprehensive assessment of the losses and compile a list of affected traders from both fire-hit markets.
The committee will be headed by Jammu North MLA Sham Lal Sharma and include Dr Narinder Singh, MLAs Yudhvir Sethi, Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, along with BJP General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria.
According to Sharma, the panel will take up the matter with the government and pursue time-bound relief and rehabilitation for the affected business owners.
It will also press for permission to utilise legislators’ Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations to provide assistance to traders who have suffered losses.
Sunil Sharma Demands Compensation Beyond Routine Relief Norms
Highlighting the financial devastation caused by the fires, the Leader of Opposition demanded adequate and time-bound compensation for traders at both Nehru Market and Shiv Market.
He argued that the scale of the losses warranted assistance beyond routine relief provisions and urged the government to move quickly to support those whose businesses and livelihoods had been destroyed.
Sharma stressed that traders required concrete financial assistance and a practical rehabilitation plan rather than assurances alone.
He also emphasised that the affected families should receive timely support to help them rebuild their businesses and restore their sources of income.
Government Faces Questions Over Shiv Market Relief
Referring to the earlier fire at Shiv Market near Jammu Railway Station, Sharma criticised the government over what he described as the lack of clarity regarding relief and compensation.
He pointed out that the National Conference-led government had promised assistance following the earlier incident, but claimed that no compensation amount or timeline had been made public so far.
Calling for accountability, Sharma urged the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to move beyond assurances and announce concrete measures for affected traders.
His remarks come as the repeated fires have raised concerns among Jammu’s business community about the financial security of traders and the preparedness of emergency services in crowded commercial areas.
Demand for Additional Fire Tenders and Quick-Response Vehicles
The BJP leader also called for a significant strengthening of fire safety infrastructure around the Warehouse area and other densely populated commercial hubs.
He proposed deploying additional fire tenders, including compact firefighting vehicles and quick-response units capable of navigating narrow market lanes where conventional fire engines may face access difficulties.
Sharma said ensuring the availability of suitable firefighting equipment near vulnerable commercial areas would improve emergency response and help prevent fires from spreading rapidly between adjoining establishments.
Separate Site Proposed for Warehouses and Inflammable Goods
Emphasising the need for long-term preventive measures, Sharma urged the government to identify and allot a separate, isolated location for warehouses and the storage of inflammable materials.
He argued that such facilities should be situated away from crowded commercial markets and residential areas to reduce the risk of large-scale destruction in the event of a fire.
The proposal seeks to address broader concerns about fire hazards in densely packed trading centres where combustible goods and limited access routes can complicate firefighting operations.
Senior BJP Leaders Accompany LoP During Visit
Sharma was accompanied by Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma, former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, MLAs Arvind Gupta, Yudhvir Sethi and Vikram Randhawa, and BJP General Secretary Baldev Singh Billowria.
The delegation interacted with affected traders and discussed their concerns regarding compensation, rehabilitation and fire safety.
Call for Immediate Relief and Stronger Fire Safety Measures
With two major market fires reported in Jammu within a short period, Sharma reiterated that the affected traders deserved immediate assistance, fair compensation and proper rehabilitation.
The proposed committee is expected to assess the damage and pursue the traders’ demands with the government. Its recommendations and subsequent government decisions will be important in determining the nature and timeline of relief.
The incidents have also intensified calls for stronger fire prevention systems, improved emergency access and safer arrangements for storing potentially hazardous goods in Jammu’s commercial establishments.
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