Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: A monthly meeting of residents from the Chhamb Assembly constituency was held under the leadership of Narinder Singh Bhau at Shiva Palace in Khour, where several long-pending issues concerning border belt communities were raised and a warning of mass agitation was issued if the demands are not addressed at the earliest.
During the meeting, speakers expressed strong concern over what they described as continued neglect of key public issues in the region.
Prominent among the demands was the early completion and upgradation of the Pallanwala–Jourian road to improve connectivity and ensure better transportation facilities for residents.
Participants also highlighted the issue of pending ration cards and urged the concerned department to clear all cases without further delay.
Strong objections were voiced against the installation of smart meters in border areas. The speakers stated that people living along the International Border (IB) frequently face cross-border shelling and security threats, and imposing additional financial burdens on them would be unjustified.
They demanded that the Government reconsider the decision in view of the hardships faced by border residents.
The meeting also discussed the issue of “Malikana Zameen” (proprietary land). It was stated that land taken from residents in 1947 was compensated only in 2012 after a long delay.
However, land acquired in 1999 during the Kargil conflict remains uncompensated and proprietary rights have not yet been restored. The participants demanded immediate settlement of the matter and restoration of rights.
The residents warned that if their genuine demands are not fulfilled within a reasonable time, a mass movement would be launched.
Those who attended the meeting included Deepak Singh, Panch Jyoti Singh, Mandal President Khour Captain Sansaar Chand, Mandal President Pallanwala Onkar Singh, Subedar Chanchal Sharma, Captain Karpal Manhas, Jyoti, Sweety Singh Bhau, Ambika Sharma, Poli Devi, Radha Rani and others.
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