Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Mar 22: The ‘Billawar Zila Andolan’ activists organized one day convention at Tehsil complex, Billawar town today.
92-year- old former Sarpanch of Billawar, Durga Dass Upadhiaya presided whereas, convener of Billawar Zila Andolan, Advocate Hari Chand Jalmeria was chief guest. Besides chairman BDC Dogain Dharam Singh, Sarpanches of Baggan-Surinder Singh, from Macchedi, Karam- Ul- Din, from Kandli Mukhtiar Ahmed; Amrik Singh from Koug , Naib Sarpanch of Bathri- Pran Singh, former Sarpanch of Bhaddu- Sudesh Sapolia, president of Billawar Bar Association- Jatinder Singh Bhadwal were prominent among other participants and speakers.
Addressing the convention, Jalmeria said that Billawar, Bani, Basohli area which comprises hilly part of the present Kathua district is vast in area spreading 100X 200 kilometers. This area has been facing neglect and discrimination for the past over hundred years when district headquarter at Kathua was fixed. People living in far off areas like Sadrota, Banjal Bhatwal, Lohai-Malhar, Macchedi, Badnota, Dhaggar, Lohang, Bani, Sarthal have to undergo long walks and travel to reach Kathua headquarter.
Having rich potential in tourism, horticulture, agriculture, prominent religious places, this area could not develop with the speed it should have been. Even road connectivity is scarce. He asserted that the Billawar Zila Andolan initiated 20 years back is determined to carry on its fight aggressively till the District Billawar is created.
Billawar is centrally located amongst six hilly tehsils namely Bani, Lohai-Malhar, Billawar, Ramkote, Basohli and Mhanpur. There has been great response of the people in support of this genuine demand. He further explained that present Kathua district headquarter is at south east corner touching Punjab and Pakistan borders and people residing in 6 hilly tehsils have to travel to district headquarter walking and travelling about 100-250 kilometers. Districts were created at smaller distances in Kashmir and other areas but demand of Billawar district was ignored. District headquarter at such a long distance denies people of access to administration for seeking redrassal of their democratic demands. He urged the Union Govt and present administration headed by LG to consider and concede the demand of Billawar district.
Besides Sarpanches, the convention was addressed by Sudesh Sapolia, Advocate Jatinder Singh Bhadwal, Punnu Ram Jamodia, HS Lalotra, Rasal Singh, Kirpal Singh and Angrez Singh.
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