Jammu, March 7 – Advocate Mohsin Ahmad Dar has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to grant divisional status to the Chenab Valley, citing governance challenges, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of administrative efficiency. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Dar highlighted the long-standing demand of the people of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts for a separate divisional administration to address the region’s unique developmental challenges.
Dar pointed out that Chenab Valley, despite being rich in natural resources and strategically significant, faces bureaucratic delays and developmental neglect due to its difficult terrain, poor infrastructure, and administrative distance from Jammu. “Due to its difficult terrain, inadequate infrastructure, and distance from the existing divisional headquarters in Jammu, the people of this region often face administrative delays and developmental neglect,” he wrote.
The demand for divisional status for Chenab Valley is not new; it has been a long-standing issue. Over the years, various protests have been held in the region, with civil society groups, political activists, and local organizations pushing for administrative restructuring. In fact, the previous manifesto of the National Conference included the promise of separate divisional status for both Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal. However, following the political turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir, the demand was left unfulfilled.
For years, The Chenab Times has supported this cause, advocating for the rights of the Chenab Valley. Since 2017, the media platform has consistently highlighted the region’s administrative challenges and lack of development. In recent months, Anzer Ayoob, the founder and editor-in-chief of The Chenab Times, has launched a petition on Change.org titled, “Establish Divisional Status and Hill Development Council for Chenab Valley.” The petition, which has gathered hundreds of verified signatures, calls on the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to take decisive action on the issue.
Advocate Dar’s letter argues that the current governance setup does not adequately serve the region’s needs. He outlined several key benefits of granting divisional status to Chenab Valley, including closer administrative control, better infrastructure planning, faster grievance redressal, and economic growth. “A dedicated divisional headquarters within Chenab Valley would significantly improve governance and service delivery,” he wrote, emphasizing that localized administration would result in more effective governance.
Economic potential was another key factor in Dar’s argument. He pointed out that the region has immense hydroelectric potential and tourism opportunities that remain untapped due to policy inaction. “Unlocking the potential of hydroelectric projects, tourism, and local businesses through direct policy interventions” would significantly boost the local economy, he stated. Additionally, the region, which is prone to landslides, floods, and earthquakes, would benefit from a more efficient disaster management system under a separate divisional administration.
Anzer Ayoob’s Change.org petition has provided a structured voice to the demand, outlining the historical discrimination and development disparities faced by the region. According to the petition, while Ladakh—now a Union Territory with a population of 274,289—was granted separate divisional status in 2019, Chenab Valley, home to nearly one million people, was once again overlooked.
The petition makes a strong case for Chenab Valley’s unique cultural identity and geographic challenges, arguing that the current divisional headquarters in Jammu is impractical for a mountainous region. It also highlights infrastructure backlogs, education deficiencies, and a lack of proper healthcare facilities.
“Government schools in Chenab Valley often lack quality teaching, leading to high dropout rates. Hospitals are frequently underequipped, forcing patients to travel long distances for basic medical treatment,” the petition states. It argues that a divisional status and a dedicated Hill Development Council would help address these long-standing issues.
As an alternative, if the government does not approve a separate divisional status, the petition suggests merging Chenab Valley with the Kashmir division, citing strong linguistic and cultural ties between the two regions. “Given the strong ethnic and linguistic ties between Chenab Valley and Kashmir, this merger could foster a sense of unity and expedite developmental processes in line with Kashmir’s relatively advanced infrastructure and administration,” the petition states.
In his letter, Dar appealed to Omar Abdullah’s leadership, urging him to prioritize this demand and initiate immediate steps toward establishing a separate divisional administration. “We strongly believe that this genuine demand will be given the serious consideration it deserves,” he wrote, calling the move “historic and transformative.”
With growing public mobilization and continued advocacy by The Chenab Times, the demand for divisional status for Chenab Valley is gaining momentum once again. Whether the administration will respond remains to be seen, but the people of Chenab Valley continue to push for their right to better governance and development.
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