*Bandh continues in Kalakote, Sunderbani
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Mar 9: Rejecting the Govt decision of rotational Additional Deputy Commissio-ners for Sunderbani, Nowshera and Kalakote areas of district Rajouri, the people of these towns held strong protests while at Nowshera the irate public blocked Jammu-Poonch highway for about three hours today.
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Angry people at Nowshera town and adjoining areas assembled in the main bazaar at around 10 am and then held strong rally. Several locals leaders addressed gathering and attacked local leaders / legislators for their dubious role. The people raised slogans against local MLA and MLC besides BJP Minister and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and PDP Minister Ch Zulfkar Ali.
Then the people moved towards main Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway and sat on dharna near Tain bridge at around 11.30 am. Man of them marched on- foot while some reached there in buses and mini-buses. The highway remained blocked for about three hours. Even the Army vehicles were not allowed to move by the agitating people. A large number of vehicles remained stranded on the highway up to 2.30 pm.
Later, the people returned to Nowshera and JAC convened crucial meeting. They decided to organize grand rally tomorrow at Nowshera from 10 am onwards. The people from various adjoining small towns will also participate.
The Government had declared that rotational ADCs will be placed for Sunderbani and Nowshera while Kotranka ADC shall look after the Kotranka on weekly rotational basis. The people have out rightly rejected this formula. This declaration of the Government through BJP Ministers Bali Bhagat has triggered massive protests in all the three towns.
The local administration has deployed additional police and paramilitary force personnel to take control of the situation. Senior police officials were supervising situation. SSP Yougal Manhas also visited Nowshera and Sunderbani and appealed people to maintain peace and communal harmony.
Meanwhile, indefinite bandh continued in the township of Nowshera on the 22nd consecutive day today for seeking district status, another group of members of Joint Action Committee sat on relay hunger strike in Nowshera town. The Government offices are also lying closed for the last 22 days.
The people at Sunderbani town took out a large protest rally today. The rally started from main bazaar and it after passing through main chowk, it culminated at SDM’s office. The movement of vehicles was also disrupted for about 30 minutes on the highway. The town observed complete bandh and the Govt offices were also forcibly closed by the people. The people shouted slogans against BJP-PDP Govt. The JAC has decided to intensify agitation as they have not accepted the Govt decision. They will also intensify struggle.
Meanwhile, Kalakote town observed bandh today seeking ADC’s post. Entire market remained closed in the town while vehicles plied on the roads normally.
The Kalakote JAC led by Randhir Singh and Vijay Suri took out large protest march and warned to intensify the agitation as they have rejected the Govt formula of rotational ADCs for Kotranka and Kalakote. They warned that they will not allow ADC Kotranka to sit at Kalakote and launch violent agitation in near future. Mogla, Sailsui, Solki and other small towns have also joined agitation. They said in coming days Kalakote agitation may also turn violent and Government will be responsible for it.
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