Jammu: Senior Congress leader and DDC Suchetgarh, Taranjit Singh Tony today led a delegation of prominent residents from Chowadi, Mohalla Messi, and Mohalla Mehra to meet the Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, raising serious concerns over the proposed construction of an ammunition depot by the J&K Police in Chowadi. The delegation apprised the Chief Secretary of the grave threat posed to over 400 families currently residing in the area.
Expressing deep anguish, Tony lambasted the authorities for their blatant disregard of legal norms and public safety. He stated that despite an alternate site being identified, the police personnel remain adamant about proceeding with the depot’s construction at the existing location. “It is ironic that those entrusted with upholding the law are themselves violating it,” he remarked.
Highlighting the legal violations, Tony pointed out that under the Works of Defence Act, 1903, specific safety distances are mandated for construction around ammunition depots to ensure the safety of life and property and the same law applies here also. Under this act, a minimum safety distance of 1000 meters is mandated for construction around ammunition depots. However, in Chowadi, the two affected mohallas lie a mere 100 meters away from the proposed site, endangering the lives of hundreds of families.
“The police are hell-bent on setting up this depot at the cost of human lives. For the past five days, construction has been going on unabated, despite the Tehsildar, deputed by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu, instructing a halt to the work. Adding to the residents’ woes, the ongoing work has disrupted the area’s drinking water supply for the last 15 days, exacerbating the hardships faced by the people,” Tony stated.
He informed that the District Administration under DC Jammu has already identified an alternative site for the construction of the ammunition depot in the same Chowadi area.
Questioning the administration’s apathy, the senior Congress leader asked, “Is this the human face of governance? Why are senior officials turning a blind eye to such blatant lawlessness?” He urged immediate intervention, demanding that the construction be stopped and the water supply restored without further delay.
The deputation included Anjum Choudhary, Ghulam Rasool, Anwar, Mohd Aftab, Haji Khursheed, Sohail Choudhary, Riyaz Khan, Talib Hussain, Rehmat Ali, Mekbol, Qasim, Anjum Ali, and several other concerned citizens. Over 100 residents were signatories to the representation submitted to the Chief Secretary.
Tony reaffirmed his commitment to fighting for the rights of the people and warned of intensified protests if the authorities fail to act immediately. “We will not allow the safety and well-being of our people to be compromised. The administration must uphold justice and relocate the depot to a safer location without delay,” he asserted.
Responding to the concerns raised, the Chief Secretary assured the delegation that the matter would be looked into on an urgent basis, and necessary action would be taken to safeguard the interests of the residents.
Later, the delegation visited the office of the Divisional Commissioner (Div Com), Jammu, and submitted the same memorandum, as recommended by the Chief Secretary (CS), to the Div Com’s office for further necessary action in this regard on priority basis.
