Demands new districts, land safeguards

Ramban Mar 30: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday strongly advocated for administrative reforms, creation of new districts, and protection of land rights for vulnerable communities.

During an interaction with media in Banihal while traveling from Jammu to Srinagar, the PDP President while referring to a recent outreach exercise conducted by PDP highlighted that feedback from various regions pointed to a strong demand for improved administrative access and the creation of new districts.

She said several areas across Jammu and Kashmir including Banihal, Bhaderwah, Chenani, Bani, Basohli, Billawar, Nowshera, Kotranka, Uri, Sopore, Gool-Gulabgarh, and Handwara had witnessed growing public demand for district status.

Mehbooba said that the residents argue that such a move would bring governance closer to the people and accelerate development.

She underscored the challenges faced by remote regions like Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal, noting that these areas remain geographically distant from administrative centres and continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure, particularly road connectivity.

The PDP chief said that regions like Marwah-Warwan were described as among the most neglected, requiring urgent government attention.

Raising concerns over land security, she said that apprehensions had grown among the people following the Article 370 abrogation.

Mehbooba said that many people fear potential loss of land, especially those belonging to economically weaker sections and tribal communities.

She said that in this regard, a bill was introduced in the Assembly to safeguard the rights of the poor and tribal populations.

The PDP President alleged that tribal communities were often displaced from forest lands while economically weaker families constructing small homes face demolition.

She expressed hope that the government would take these concerns seriously and initiate concrete measures to address public grievances and ensure equitable development across all regions.