Early Times Report
Rajouri, May 2: The people of Manjakot tehsil in Rajouri district on 9th day of their protest for Degree College and establishment of Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) office at Manjakot, today blocked Jammu-Poonch highway for more than one hour.
The people have constituted a Joint Action Committee (JAC) with Advocate Abdul Qadar Khan ss its convener, to continue their struggle for the fulfilment of their demands.
JAC supported by people from every walk of life and despite their associations with various political parties/ organisations today observed complete bandh.
For the last 9 days people have erected a tent on the roadside at Manjakot and continuing their protest.
"Successive State governments have done injustice, discrimination to the people of Manjakot tehsil and now they have decided to struggle for their rights and injustice against them" said protesters.
Irked over recent government decision to establish government Degree College at Keri (in Rajouri Assembly Constituency) the people of Manjakot tehsil have also spearheaded their struggle for the college , Munsif Court and for girls higher secondary school.
As most of the area of Manjakot tehsil is situated along Line of Control (LoC) the students faces many difficulties to reach government PG College at Rajouri during heavy rains/ mortar shelling, claimed people.
They also alleged that out of 7 tehsils (before 2004) degree colleges have been established in five tehsils including Rajouri, Kalakot, Nowshera, Sunderbani and Thanamandi.
"Out of old 7 tehsils of Rajouri district except Manjakot and Darhal the government has provided degree colleges at every tehsil HQ" said protesting people.
Meanwhile, according to press release, Thanamandi Civil Society, Mughal Development Forum, Peer Panchal Regional Employees Front (PPREF) and J&K Pahari People Movement (JKPPM) have also extended support to Manjakot people's struggle.
On the intervention of Army Officers and Manjakot SDPO , people cleared the highway but warn to sit on the highway on Friday if their demands were not conceded. |
