A delegation of Bhaderwah youth led by Advocate Mohd Majid Malik met with Advisor to Lieutenant Governor Farooq Khan at Dak Bunglow Bhaderwah today to discuss various issues affecting Bhaderwah, particularly the demands of District Bhaderwah, and sought the Advisor’s intervention in resolving the issues. The delegation, led by Advocate Mohd Majid Malik, submitted a three-page charter/memorandum requesting the upgradation of Bhaderwah to district status, outlining the qualifications, criteria, and historical significance of Bhaderwah. Advocate Mohd Majid Malik told Advisor to Lt Governor Farooq Ahmed Khan that Bhaderwah needs to be upgraded as a district as soon as possible because it has been a long-standing and legitimate demand of the local people, and that the Union government and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir administration should begin modalities to declare Bhaderwah as a district on the basis of qualification as soon as possible before the deadline.
Bhaderwah, according to Advocate Mohd Majid Malik, has all of the qualifications to be a district headquarters, and it is the only place in the Chenab Valley that is directly connected to Chamba, Bani Basoli, and Pathankot ( Punjab) via an interstate road. To realise the dream, there is also a need to form an apolitical movement. A campaign involving people from all castes, creeds, religions, and organisations is necessary. According to Malik, Bhaderwah occupied a large portion of the Chenab valley prior to 1955. The Bhaderwah Wazere Wazarat included the areas of Bhalessa, Drabshalla, Thathri, Chiralla, Marmat, and Doda. In the Bhaderwah constituency, new sub divisions and tehsils were created over time, but no one took the initiative to grant the constituency district status.
He also stated that the people of Bhaderwah want the city to regain its former glory, as the Bhaderwah Development Authority still has jurisdiction over the entire Doda district, and the forest division and ASP Bhaderwah have jurisdiction up to Bhalessa, Thathri, and Chiralla, and the Union government should declare Bhaderwah a district, as the people of Bhaderwah have high hopes for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Our demand was ignored in 2006, when the then chief minister created more districts in Chenab Valley and sub divisions within Bhaderwah constituency but ignored Bhaderwah for no apparent reason, even failing to upgrade Chinta and Athkar areas of Bhaderwah to blocks and tehsils. He also noted that, despite meeting all of the criteria for becoming a district, Bhaderwah was overlooked, despite the fact that the Chenab Valley’s first degree college was established in Bhaderwah in 1955, and new colleges were established in other parts of Doda district in 2006-7. We’ve been agitating for a separate district for Bhaderwah since 2000,” said Advocate Mohd Majid Malik.
Advisor Khan listened patiently and assured the delegation that all of their legitimate concerns about District Bhaderwah would be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities for prompt resolution.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
Anzer Ayoob is the Founder and Chief Editor to The Chenab Times
