Budgam Feb 9 (KNS): People of Branwar village in Chadoora tehsil of District Budgam have intensified their agitation against the local Numberdar and have appealed to the Govt to hold fresh elections as per J&K Lambardari Act 1972 Rules 1980 and amendment Rules 2017. Hundreds of people assembled in Srinagar’s Press colony on Wednesday and raised slogans against the Numberdar Saifudin Jahara as people allege that he has crossed 60 years of age and was allegedly harassing locals. The protesting people from both Gujjar and Kashmiri communities appealed to the Chief Secretary , Divisional Commissioner and DC Budgam to hold a fresh election for the Numberdar as the incumbent Numberdar has been holding the office for the last 30 years without being elected through an election.
“ The incumbent Numberdar has been harassing us through various agencies like Forest and Police officials and is involved in several criminal acts . He has held the office for 30 years and earlier his ancestors , father and grandfather have been ruling us at the local level. We want an end to the dynasty rule. We only demand fresh elections for the Numberdar. We want a young and qualified person to become our village Numberdar. We have been protesting for last 2 weeks , but district administration is not acting “ said Ghulam Qadir Ganai a resident of Branwar
“Chief Secretary also urged DCs and SDMs to appoint new Numberdars and Chowkidars whose term has ended or have crossed 60 years of age. We fail to understand why Branwar village Numberdar is not changed and fresh election isn’t held ? “ said Ali Mohammad Jahara a local resident
Pertinently as per SRO 412 dated 29th September 2017 Govt had brought down the age limit of Numberdar to 25 years and maximum limit is 60 yrs. The Protestors of Branwar say that Numberdar was above 60 years and the fresh election should be held without any delay. (KNS)