Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI/ POONCH, Feb 10: Residents of Budhal announced ‘Rajouri Chalo’ call from tomorrow and courted arrest at Budhal Police Station in large number as a part of their on- going agitation for Tehsil status while massive protests were held at Sunderbani, Mandi and Chandak in Poonch besides Dharmasal in Kalakote in support of public demand to create tehsils.
Today was 9th day of indefinite dharna- cum- fast- unto death strike of the people at Budhal. A large number of Panchs, Sarpanchs and villagers from various area of Budhal including women are sitting on protest dharna. The market is shut for the last many days and there is no work in Government offices. The vehicular traffic is also off the road. The people have resolved not to withdraw or bow till their demand is addressed by Government.
The condition of several people who are sitting on fast unto death is deteriorating. Despite repeated request of senior district officers, the people have refused to lift dharna and suspend agitation. They pointed out that their struggle will be continued till Budhal is provided tehsil status. They had given deadline of February 10 to the Government from tomorrow onwards they have decided to move to Rajouri and launch fast unto death strike in front of DC Office.
Meanwhile, hundreds of agitating people courted arrest at Budhal police station but later, they were released. They were shouting slogans in support of their demand. They also shouted slogans against CM, DyCM, MP and local MLA.
At Sunderbani, a large number of people from Devak village blocked Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway at around 1.30 pm and launched protest dharna. They are also demanding tehsil status for Devak. They alleged that great discrimination has been meted out to the area. The movement of vehicles came to halt with the blockade which continued up to 3 pm. DC Rajouri later arrived and talked to the agitating people. He said that their concern has been conveyed to the Government and now Government has to take decision in this regard. The passengers had to suffer for long due to massive blockade and traffic jam created there.
Similar, strong protest was held at Mandi in Poonch where people blocked road and raised slogans in support of their demand. The schools and local market remained closed as a mark of protest. The people were demanding that they should be clubbed with Poonch-Haveli constituency and not Surankote as they are facing lot of hardships due to odd distribution. They warned to intensify their agitation. They also demanded separate constituency for Mandi. They blocked road for about four and half hours.
At Chandak also the local people blocked Jammu Poonch road and held protest demonstration. They are demanding tehsil status for Chandak. Sarpanchs- Ch Maqsood, Mohd Zafar and Mohd Latief were leading. They said the people of nearly 36 villages of the area have been denied justice. The area had Niabat since 1980 but till today, it has not been upgraded. The traffic also remained suspended for several hours due to protest dharna on the highway by public. They have warned to intensify agitation and move to district headquarters.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
