Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 20: A massive protest rally was today taken out in Akhnoor by elected PRIs and leaders of social and political organizations against the draft report of Delimitation Commission as per which Maira Mandrian and Chowki Choura tehsils will be the part of Khour Assembly Constituency.
Around three hundred people from both tehsils led by their 18 Sarpanchs and more than 100 Panchs gathered near the new bridge Akhnoor where they blocked the Jammu-Poonch National Highway and disrupted the vehicular traffic for around two hours. The people were shouting slogans against the Delimitation Commission.
Speaking on the occasion, BDC Member Rahul Dev Sharma flayed the draft report while alleging that the same was compiled by the Delimitation Commission without knowing the ground situation. Criticizing the proposed report according to which Tehsil Maira Mandrian and Tehsil Chowki Choura will be the part of Khour Constituency, Sarpanch Rohit Sharma said that the move is discriminatory and sought restoration of both the teshils with Akhnoor Constituency in the final report.
He said that on the basis of topography, connectivity and distance, tehsils Maira Mandrian and Chowki Choura were part of Akhnoor Assembly since independence and merging these two tehsils in Khour Assembly Constituency cannot be justified by any of the criteria.
Naib Sarpanch Kewal Krishan while addressing the gathering said that the merger of these two tehsils with Khour is not acceptable. He said the sitting Member Parliament Jugal Kishore Sharma and other party leaders have failed to represent their demands in front of Delimitation Commission. He alleged that the sitting MP who is also an associate member of Delimitation Committee failed to project their genuine demand because of which now the general public is on the road.
Sarpanch Ajeet Sharma and Tarlochan Dutt warned the administration to address their demand at the earliest otherwise their agitation will be turned more aggressive.
Later, SDM Akhnoor Akhil Sadotra and SDPO Akhnoor Deputy SP Varun Jandial on the directions of District Administration rushed the spot and assured them that their demands will be taken up with the highest authority among Delimitation Commission. They further assured to arrange a meeting of the elected PRIs with Deputy Commissioner Jammu regarding the issue.
On the assurance from authorities, the protest ended and traffic on the National Highway was made through.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
