Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, May 16: Tension erupted in the Mogla area of Kalakote Sub Division in Rajouri district after the death of a local GREF labourer, allegedly linked to mental stress arising out of a dispute over a proposed road widening project.
The deceased has been identified as Baldev Raj (58), son of Lakhi Ram, a resident of Jungarial village in Taryath tehsil. According to reports, Baldev Raj suffered a brain stroke at his residence late Friday night. He was immediately shifted to Jammu for advanced treatment, where he later died.
As per locals, a team of the GREF officials along with some officials from the Revenue Department had visited the Mogla area three days ago to inspect the proposed road widening work. During the visit, Baldev Raj reportedly requested the officials to slightly modify the alignment of the road, stating that the proposed widening could endanger his residential house and land.
Eyewitnesses alleged that an argument broke out between Baldev Raj and officials during the inspection. Locals claimed that officials informed him that land acquisition for the road expansion would proceed as per requirement and that structures falling within the alignment could also be removed if necessary.
Family members alleged that following the incident, Baldev Raj remained under severe mental stress and depression for several days, and his health deteriorated continuously before he suffered the fatal stroke.
News of his death triggered strong resentment in the area. On Saturday morning, family members of the deceased along with nearly 300 local residents staged a protest near Mogla bridge by placing the body on the road. The protesters blocked the Taryath-Kalakote road and raised slogans against the administration and concerned GREF officials while demanding justice for the deceased family.
After receiving information about the protest, the Officer In-Charge (OIC) GREF, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kalakote and SHO Dharmsal reached the spot and held discussions with the agitating residents.
Following assurances from the administration and GREF authorities, the protest was peacefully called off around 1:00 pm. Officials assured the family that ‘Paid Labour Work’ in GREF would be provided to three male members of the deceased’s family as a support measure. Traffic on the Taryath-Kalakote road was later restored.
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