Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: Demanding hill district status and detachment of Bhalessa from the jurisdiction of ADC Bhaderwah, a massive protest demonstration was staged by the residents of Bhalessa, here today near the Press Club Jammu
The protesting people raised slogans in support of their demand and also against the Government decision of bringing their area under Bhaderwah, which is more than 100 kilometers from Bhalessa.
The speakers highlighted that Bhalessa areas have been attached to Bhaderwah ADC without the consent of the locals. “Previously the area of Bhalessa was with ADC Doda i.e only 66 kms from Gandoh. Now the inhabitants of Bhalessa will have to travel 115 kms to reach Bhaderwah for administrative work,” they explained and demanded immediate withdrawal of the Government order in this regard.
Urging the Chief Minister for early detachment from ADC Bhaderwah and attachment with ADC Doda, the aggrieved residents also demanded separate ADC post for Bhalessa and its adjoining tehsils.
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It is worth to mention here that Bhalessa comprises of Kahara, Chilly Pingal, Gandoh, Neeli Khaljugasar, Chilly Area, Jitota area, Halaran, Joda and Soti Changa Klhotran. The speakers further said that Bhalessa ranks 3rd in Doda district in terms of population while it ranks 60th in the State. The population of the area is 83636 as per census records; there are 66 Revenue villages, 52 Panchayats in Bhalessa. The distance from District Headquarter Doda to Gandoh is 66 kilometers whereas the distance from Gandoh Bhalessa to Bhaderwah is 96 kilometers. Distance from farthest villages like Khaljugasar, Manoo from Bhaderwah is 115 kms. Chilly Pingal to Doda is 68 kilometers, Bhaderwah is 98 kilometers. Tehsil HQ Gandoh to Doda is 66 kilometers.
The protesters alleged that ADC post for Bhaderwah has been created under ambiguous facts and needed immediate withdrawal to defy any loss in future due to the coming up of mass scale protests at all levels.
The protest demonstration was addressed by Mohd Hanief Malik (president Bhalessa United Front), social activist Sadakat Malik, Reyaz Zargar, Amar Chand and others.
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