Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Mar 17: Thousands of people including women and children from Nowshera today marched towards Jammu but with the intervention and repeated pleas of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri they returned after covering 20 kms of distance on- foot while bandh continued in Kalakote and Nowshera towns.
A large number of people from Nowshera and other villages in the sub division, started gathering at the main venue of agitation in Tehsil complex at around 9 am. Many people had arrived from Kalsian, Lam, Qila Darhal, Jhangar, Sher Makri and other border villages. Some JAC members addressed the gathering and then a large number of people including women carrying their luggage, tents and other eatables in truck and tractor trolleys moved towards Jammu at around 11 AM. They were carrying National flags, banners and placards, depicting their demands.
The people were also raising loud slogans against Govt and BJP-PDP. Some JAC members were mounting on an open vehicle fitted with mikes/ loud speakers. When they reached at Tain bridge on Jammu-Poonch National highway, the Deputy Commissioner, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and SSP Yougal Manhas tried to convince them telling that Chief Minister was actively considering their demand of ADC at Nowshera and the announcement is likely on Monday. Though massive police and paramilitary force was also deployed there but the District Administration avoided confrontation. The Joint Action Committee members however, did not agree and went ahead with their protest March to Jammu.
On the way, at Rajla and Bangnoti many villagers joined them and the rally went on turning stronger. After covering nearly 20 kms distance when they reached at Lamberi. The people stopped there in the local High school for lunch. The JAC had already sent food items and cooks there. The people had food their and they were about to move for Sunderbani for night halt. The Deputy Commissioner accompanied by SSP Rajouri and ASP Nowshera again tried to convince the JAC members. The DC told the people that he has received inputs from the Govt that they are going to declare ADC for Nowshera on Monday. He also said that Chief Minister was not in the winter capital. He sought time up to 4pm on Monday and requested them to return to their homes at Nowshera. Then with the assurance of the District Administration, and giving last opportunity the JAC members agreed but they decided to carry on with their agitation/ bandh.
The bandh in Nowshera town continued on 30th consecutive day. Many Govt offices are also lying closed there since long as the people are not allowing the same to open. The bandh is continued in support of public demand of district status and posting of Additional Deputy Commissioner at Nowshera.
The JAC members have raised contributory funds for journey to Jammu. They have decided to carry their movement to the logical conclusion.
Kalakote town also continued indefinite bandh today, seeking separate ADC’s posting. Entire market remained closed in the town and the vehicles also remained off the road.
The Kalakote JAC led by Rashpal Singh (Ex-MLA from NC) and others took out strong protest march in the town and then moved to the Police Station. A large number of people including MLA courted arrest. These people have rejected the Govt formula of rotational ADCs for Kotranka and Kalakote.
Assailing the Coalition Government, especially the BJP for its anti-poor and anti-people policies thus pushing the entire region in an unprecedented crisis, Rachpal Singh cautioned that the agitation may further spread if the administration fails in taking timely decision with the popular demand of the people.
The former MLA hoped that the Jha Panel will take note of the demands projected by the people of Kalakote, Nowshera and Sunderbani and post separate and independent Additional Deputy Commissioners on permanent basis. He said Kalakote has suffered on all fronts during the past three years due to misrepresentation. He cautioned the Government not to test patience of the people and address to their problems on priority. Rachpal Singh lauded resilience of the people and hoped that they will continue to maintain their time tested unity and amity, which he described their greatest strength.
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