Admin units: People question discrimination with Kashmir

SRINAGAR: The creation of a large number of administrative units has triggered demands for more and more tehsils across the state, while experts are questioning the lion’s share Jammu got in the move. 

“Discrimination with Kashmir is not new and it has become a routine matter now to develop Jammu at the cost of Kashmir. Dogra regime was revived in Jammu and Kashmir ever since militancy erupted in Valley. Our funds are being diverted for the development of two districts of Jammu,” former president of Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Shakeel Qalandar said.

Chairman Kashmir Economic Alliance Muhammad Yasin Khan said that government was playing with the sentiments of people of Kashmir which would have serious repercussions. “Whenever funds are allocated, or something happens, Jammu is given lions share. Government of India as well as the State Government is taking undue advantage of the prevailing situation in Kashmir and every time we are subjected to discrimination,” Khan said.

Political advisor to Chief Minister, Tanvir Sadiq however denied the allegations of discrimination, “National Conference treats Jammu, Ladakh and Kashmir as one state and there can be no discrimination with any region as long as National Conference is at the helm of affairs,” Sadiq said.     

Congress Minister Taj Mohi-u-Din  also denied discrimination claims. “Kashmir has small area as compared to Doda. There were many factors that Cabinet Sub Committee took into account before enlisting any area for the administrative unit,” he said.   

Meanwhile, the announcement of new units has triggered protests at many places across Kashmir. 

At least four protests were held in Press Enclave Srinagar alone demanding Tehsil status to their respective areas. 

Shutdown was observed by people in Awantipora, Lurgam Tral and Lassipora Pulwama on Monday while people alleged that government ignored the demands of people in these areas.

Protestors from Kapran and Wachi Shopian, Wasoora Pulwama staged a protest in Press Enclave Srinagar. 

“In Kapran Shopian, tehsils have been granted to close by areas. Nayabat was established in Kapran way back in 1961 yet it was ignored this time,” Master Khalid said.

Similarly, protestors from Wasoora and Wachi alleged that their areas were ignored because majority of the population support a particular political party. “Wachi is represented by People Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti and it was because of this fact that Wachi was ignored,” the protestors from Wachi said.

Awantipore and its adjoining area observed complete shutdown and protested against the decision of not allotting the district status to their area. Protests and shutdown was also were observed in Achan and Tahab Pulwama against the government decision. 

“Our area is one of the oldest Nayabat in Shahoora belt and hence it deserved Tehsil status,” said the protesters from Tahab Pulwama.

Hundreds of protestors from different areas of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district staged a massive protest outside DC office Pulwama demanding tehsil status for Achan, Adoora, Alaiepora, Haji Darpora, Bhatnor and Gadbough. 

In Seer Hamdan people observed a complete shutdown alleging discrimination with the area. “It is sheer discrimination with our area which has a huge population in Anantnag district. People staged peaceful demonstrations and observed a complete shutdown against the government neglect,” Khwaja Shams-u-Din, Chairman Auqaf Islamia, seer Hamdan said.

In Kupwara people staged a day long sit in, amid complete shutdown demanding functional headquarters of Tehsil and Sub-Division announced for Lolab be carried out from centrally located Wavoora village for larger interests of the residents.

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