Protest, shutdown over demand for district status

People raising slogans during protest at Bhaderwah. — Excelsior/Tilak Raj
People raising slogans during protest at Bhaderwah. — Excelsior/Tilak Raj

Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Dec 29: A complete shutdown was observed here followed by a protest in support of the long pending demand to give district status to Bhaderwah at the earliest and to immediately stop the alleged discrimination by the successive Governments of this erstwhile princely State.
All the shops and other business establishments remained closed on the shutdown call given by All Jammu and Kashmir Senior Citizen Welfare Council (AJKSCWC) supported by socio-religious organizations, political parties, students’ organizations and Beopar Mandal Bhaderwah.
Three protest rallies started simultaneously from Chobia Link Road, Pasri and GDC Bhaderwah. While raising slogans in favour of their demands, the protesters assembled at historic Seri Bazaar and addressed the rally.
“Our only disqualification is that, perhaps we carry the tag of being a native of Bhaderwah, otherwise we are not able to locate any other reason that erstwhile Bhaderwah which consists of 4 subdivisions, 12 Tehsils and 23 Niabats is being neglected for so long and not given it’s rightful place”, said a youth leader Nasir K Shah adding that today they have shown the unprecedented unity and this tempo will continue till they achieve their goal.
“We have been demanding district status since last two decades in a peaceful and democratic way but those sitting at the helm of affairs only bullied and cornered us further leaving us with no other option but to come on streets”, said a social worker Suhail Sidiqui.
“No one can change our resolve as we are now prepared to go to any extent and even to shed our blood for the cause of our motherland to restore its pristine glory”, Sidiqui added.
Among others who addressed the rally include Swami Raj, Faiz-Ullah Suharwardy, Nazir Ahmed, Aamir and Munna Ganai.
Later, the protesters under the leadership of Advisor AJKS-CWC, Jaswant Singh Charak  submitted a resolution to the Government.

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