Kathua: Activists of the Billawar Zila Andolan (BZA) staged a day-long dharna at the Tehsil Ground in Billawar today, calling for the creation of a separate Billawar district. The protest saw prominent participation from residents of Billawar, Ramkot, and Lohai Malhar tehsils, who have long been demanding district status for the region.
Convener of the Billawar Zila Andolan, Hari Chand Jalmeria, Advocate, expressed deep concerns over the repeated neglect of Billawar by successive governments. He pointed out that the region was overlooked by Sheikh Abdullah in 1978 when three new districts were created in Kashmir, and again in 2006 by Ghulam Nabi Azad when eight districts were created across Jammu and Kashmir, including four in Jammu. More recently, Jalmeria said, the Modi government’s decision to create five new districts in Ladakh has once again left Billawar behind.
Jalmeria also criticized the government’s decision to build a jail in Dambra village, a green and grazing area in Billawar, where he argued an Agricultural University Research Center should be developed instead.
“Billawar and its neighboring tehsils of Bani, Lohai-Malhar, Ramkote, Mahanpur, and Basohli are situated in the upper Shivalik range, covering a distinct sub-region. Residents of these areas must travel 150-200 kilometers to reach the district headquarters in Kathua, wasting time and money,” said Jalmeria.
Jalmeria also highlighted the urgent need to improve road connectivity and address the shortage of teaching staff in government schools.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah through the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Billawar, the activists outlined several demands. These include the creation of Billawar District, the construction of three critical tunnels—at Sundrikote, Dehri Gala, and Chuchru Gala—to improve connectivity with Kathua, Bani, Basantgarh, and other regions, and the establishment of an Agriculture University in Dambra instead of the proposed jail. The activists also called for the restriction of the Ujh Dam’s height to protect local populations from potential displacement, citing concerns about the insufficient water flow in the Ujh River.
Prominent participants in the protest included BR Upadhyaya, former Sarpanches Jagdish Sapolia, Jagdev Singh Miyan, Makhan Jamodia, Kuldip Sharma, and several other local leaders, social activists, and legal professionals.
