Udhampur residents protest DC’s transfer

Deepanker Gupta

Udhampur, May 25

Protests continued for the second consecutive day today against the transfer of Udhampur Deputy Commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, who has been shifted as Additional Secretary to the office of the Chief Minister in Srinagar.

Crossing party lines, representatives of all major political parties, Bar association, Beopar Mandal and social organisations of the town urged the Chief Minister to review the transfer order.

A massive protest was held outside the DC’s residence this morning when people disallowed the officer to move to attend a function

Jagdish Bhardwaj of the National Conference said in so many decades Udhampur got an effective DC who changed the meaning of development, but it was “regretful that some forces not happy with the proactive dealing of officer acted for his transfer”.

BJP leader Pawan Khajuria while talking to mediapersons said the party recognised the brilliant work done by the DC, Udhampur, and had raised its concern before the high command for reviewing the decision in view of mass resentment among people.

Former MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia said that youth of Udhampur would not allow this to happen Former minister Harsh Dev Singh has filed a petition before the Centre for quashing the pre-mature transfer against service rules. Surinder Singh Khalsa, chairman, Beopar Mandal, expressed resentment over the transfer.

The road outside the DC Office was blocked for nearly two hours and protesters refused to lift dharna. Later, the DC reached the spot and requested the protesters to lift their dharna.

A deputation of more than 500 people from Latti has reached Udhampur to meet the DC and lodge their protest. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner and senior officeials remained busy in pacifying protesters and restoring essential services.