Demanding divisional status to Pir Panchal region, Peoples Democratic Party took out a protest rally in Rajouri, while Pir Panchal Youth Forum (PPYF) reiterated the demand at a press conference.
The PDP rally was led by former minister ChowdharyZulfkar Ali and former MLA RajouriQamarHussain. It started from Dak Bungalow Rajouri and ended at GujjarMandichowk. Addressing the gathering, Zulfkar and Qamar said that divisional status and hill development council for Pir Panchal region are long-pending demands of the people and the governor’s administration and the central government should come “up with a solid decision on it”.
They said PDP was committed to fulfilling this promise made before the polls but BJP “became a hurdle”.
Meanwhile, the PPYF demanded the creation of two more administrative and revenue divisions for Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley on Monday.
Addressing a press conference at Press Club, Rajouri, youth leader Guftar Ahmed Chowdhary said, “Both Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley are distinct from Jammu and are forcibly subjugated to Jammu division, that itself consists of three districts.”
Chowdhary and the other speakers said, “Whatever is sanctioned for Jammu province is confined to the districts of Jammu and Samba, while the majority of the region is ignored. All major institutions, like AIIMS, IIT, SKAUST, regional university, central university and railways are located in Jammu district and the people of Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley are deprived of all facilities,” they said.
Asif Bhat, AquibWani, Hassan Mirza, Asif Manhas and Rayees Malik Mushtaq were also present in the press conference.