Authorities urged to halt conversion of Srinagar Playground

Srinagar, Sep 2: PDP leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on Tuesday sought personal intervention from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Director General of Police to stop the reported conversion of a decades-old playground in Srinagar into a Police Martyrs’ building.

Parra took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), voicing concern that the Baghat Barzulla playground, a long-standing recreational space, was being taken over, depriving the city’s youth of much-needed sports infrastructure.

“While we salute their sacrifices, such a building can be raised elsewhere. With 65% of youth battling unemployment, drugs and depression, Srinagar needs spaces and stadiums,” Parra wrote, appealing for the site to be preserved for sports.

As per the locals, the playfield has served generations of residents and is among the few remaining open spaces in the city’s densely populated areas. They expressed dismay over the proposed takeover, fearing further erosion of public grounds was vital for youth development.

The remarks came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 125th episode of his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme, praised Jammu and Kashmir’s recent sporting achievements, including Pulwama’s locally organised first-ever day-night cricket match and a water sports festival in Srinagar.

Meanwhile, Apni Party president Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari expressed deep concern, alleging that a government department has taken over a piece of land in the Rawathpora area of Baghat Barzulla, a space which has been serving as a playground for decades for the youth of Rawathpora, Barzulla, Baghat, Parray Pora, Majeed Bagh, Sanat Nagar, Natipora, Chanapora, and surrounding localities.

“I sincerely appeal to the Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to step in and protect this land for sports and recreational activities for the youth. This appeal is made purely in the public interest, rising above any political affiliations or considerations. Matters that concern the well-being of our youth should always be treated as issues of community welfare rather than politics,” Bukhari wrote on X.

Bukhari, while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said that they had apprised the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir about the issue and that a delegation too was sent to his office.

“We are sure we would be able to halt this move and save playground for youth”, Apni party president Bukhari said.

There was no response from concerned MLA Mushtaq Guroo to repeated calls and messages. A senior police officer told Greater Kashmir he had no information about the matter and was not handling the issue. Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has not issued any official statement on the status of the proposed construction.