Under the joint
collaboration of Nakyal Action Committee, Samaj Badlo Tahreek, Jammu
Kashmir Awami Workers Party (JKAWP), Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
(JKLF), and JKNAP, a massive protest demonstration reverberated
through Padawa Chowk. The gathering aimed to shed light on pressing
concerns, including electricity load shedding, flour shortage,
compensation for Greece's affected victims, inadequate telecom
services, and deteriorating road conditions. The protest saw the
active participation of thousands of workers, citizens,
representatives of the Traders Association, as well as political and
social leaders.
The protest resounded with
powerful slogans denouncing exorbitant electricity taxes, oppressive
load shedding, and demanding one crore in compensation for the
martyrs of Greece Boat Disaster. The city of Nakyal echoed with
fervent chants, amplifying the urgency of the demonstrators' demands.
Prominent figures such as
central organizers of JKAWP, Samaj Badlo Tahreek (SBT) leader, Nakyal
Awami Action Committee Chief Shah Nawaz Ali Sher Advocate, SBT leader
Naveed Anjam Asi Advocate, Central leader of Muslim League Sardar Ali
Afzal Advocate, President of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)
Shafiq Chacha, Central leader of JKNAP Sardar Jawad Anwar Khan
Advocate, JKLF leader Sardar Sajid Mina, President of Nakyal Traders
Association Sardar Riast Guldan, Former President of Nakyal Traders
Association Sardar Nawaz Khan, President of Traders Association
Sardar Shakoor Khan, Central leader of the People's Party Sardar
Wasim Majid, Chairman of Jandrot Union Council Sardar Abraar Gulshan,
Political Youth Leader Kashif Altaf Chaudhry, Political Leader Sardar
Shiraz Karlowi, Counselor Wasim Jani, Central Advisors Sajid Hussain
Chaudhry, Ajaz Chab, Rashid Kashmiri, Transporters Leader Khadim
Chaudhry, and others addressed the gathering. They voiced their
concerns over the chaotic situation created by the Power Department
and WAPDA in Nakyal, Kotli.
The protesters highlighted the daily power cuts that leave Nakyal without electricity for the entire day. They emphasized that electricity transmission has been halted for three years due to maintenance and other issues. They demanded free electricity provision and an end to load shedding. Additionally, they urged an immediate increase in the allocation of flour to meet the ration needs of the growing population of Nakyal. Flour should be made available at 1040 rupees per maan (unit of weight).
Addressing infrastructure
concerns, the protesters called for the opening of a direct route
from Nakyal to Rajouri Mandi through the Cease Fire Line and stressed
the urgent need for repairing the deteriorated condition of central
roads, including those in Nakyal.
The heirs of the martyrs
from Pakistan-administered Kashmir who tragically lost their lives in
the Greece Boat Disaster deserve appropriate compensation. It is
crucial that a minimum of one crore rupees is provided to the
families as a form of compensation, recognizing the immense sacrifice
made by their loved ones. Furthermore, it is essential to offer a
government job to each affected family, ensuring their long-term
financial stability and honoring the memory of the courageous
individuals who were lost.
Other demands encompassed
the establishment of a Police Station and the Department of Revenue
building in Nakyal, ensuring emergency access, increasing the
healthcare budget for medications, maintaining control over
governmental departments, resolving water-related issues, improving
the mobile phone network service, creating employment opportunities
for the youth, and addressing the pressing issue of unemployment.
The protesters presented an
11-point agreement, which was accepted by the demonstrators. Key
points included the establishment of a state-grade station in
Pakistan-administered Jammu Kashmir and granting the region autonomy
in economic and political matters. They also called for the formation
of a high-level judicial commission to investigate cases of flour
corruption.
The demonstrators made it
clear that failure to provide one crore rupees as compensation to the
affected individuals and address the issue of electricity load
shedding in Nakyal would lead to a complete shutdown and the exercise
of all options of freedom of expression. They set a three-day
deadline for action.
Credits:
Written by Shah Nawaz
Edited by Zaara Kashmiri
