Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Feb 25: Indef-inite bandh continued in the township of Nowshera on the 10th consecutive day for seeking district status for this sub division while Sunderbani and Kalakote towns also observed complete bandh on the demand of creation of Additional Deputy Commissioner’s posts there.
In the township of Nowshera, the people under the banner of Joint Action Committee, comprising members from various political parties, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Beopar Mandal, Bar Association and other social and youth organizations took out protest rally in the main market, shouting slogans against BJP-PDP Government, BJP Ministers and also in support of their demand of full fledged district. Later, they reached the protest-dharna venue where several local leaders addressed the gathering. The work in Govt offices has been paralysed due to ongoing agitation in Nowshera. Several other small towns of the area like Jhangar, Qila Darhal, Rajal, Lamberi etc also observed bandh.
Veteran BJP leader and Vice Chairman Pahari Welfare Board Kuldip Raj Gupta also visited the agitating people and extended his support. He claimed that Nowshera deserved district status in every respect. Moreover, it is old demand of the people of this area.
Subhash Kapoor, Beopar Mandal president said that visiting BJP Ministers and MP have only given assurance that their demand will be addressed shortly but they have not given concrete assurance and time frame. They have come here without any roadmap and proper home work. He said Nowshera is demanding district status for the last over 40 years. It has R&B and PHE Divisions, old Degree College, DFO’s office, besides several other district level offices. Though public is suffering badly but they all have prepared for do or die situation now, He warned to further intensify agitation in near future.
Sunderbani town also observed complete bandh on the 4th consecutive day while entire market in Kalakote town also remained closed in support of their demand of creation of Additional DCs’ post there. In Sunderbani a protest march was also taken out during the day by the people but highway remained opened today. Heavy deployment of police has been made in the town.
Later, in the evening a meeting of Joint Action Committee of Sunderbani members was held where it was decided to continue indefinite protest from February 26 onwards but the market will remain opened. Members of local Beopar Mandal and all the political parties also attended.
In Kalakote town also entire market remained closed as mark of protest against the bias decision of the Government by creating ADC’s post for Kotranka, ignoring others in the district. They alleged that conspiracy is being hatched to connect some areas of Kalakote ( Khawas) with the Kotranka Sub Division on political considerations and it will not be tolerated by the people from Kalakote area at any cost. It was second day of the bandh in the town today.
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