Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, May 7: The Kishtwar people today called off their strike after the GREF authorities started the work on Malipath to Kuleed road on the intervention of district administration led by District Development Commissioner Kishtwar, Javed Ahmed Khan and SSP Sanjay Kotwal.
The DC and SSP also offered juice to the local leaders who had started hunger strike from today in support of their demand.
Mr Khan told Excelsior that people called of the agitation on the intervention of the administration and starting of work by GREF on the road from today.
He, while justifying the concern shown by the people of Kishtwar who were demanding proper maintenance of roads leading to various areas of the district as well as Batote -Kishtwar highway said he has taken up the issue with Divisional Commissioner Jammu and also written a letter to State Planning Commission asking it to earmark the funds for the development of roads in the district keeping in view the concern shown by the masses.
Mr Khan said he along with the SSP Kishtwar Sanjay Kotwal gave an assurance to the people that immediate steps will be taken for renovation of roads in the district and also instructions were issued to GREF to do the needful in view of the problems faced by the people.
He said delay in the renovation of various roads in the district by the GREF has added to the woes of the people and realizing the gravity of the situation the district administration also persuaded the GREF authorities not to delay the restoration work.
It may be recalled that Kishtwar town observed a bandh yesterday in protest against the GREF authorities for their failure in renovating the roads in the district which have added to problems of the people considerably.
The people have extended the bandh call by today also and have warned to go on hunger strike in support of their demand.
Earlier dharna and road blockade was held on May 5 in the Kuleed Chowk in the Kishtwar town and after the talks deadlocked with the administration on that day the people gave a call for Kishtwar bandh which was supported by Traders Association led by its chairman Ravinder Gupta and president Bharat Bushan Gupta, Trade Unions and various political parties.
Meanwhile, local leader S S Bhandari, Farooq Ahmed Tapal and Tilak Raj Shan said the step taken by the administration will help in easing the tension in the area as people were highly agitated against the GREF which has totally failed to maintain the roads in the district.
They said the condition of Batote –Kishtwar highway as well as Kishtwar Padder and other local roads is worst and they have virtually become death traps for the people.
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