Gund Chogal villagers, civil society protest against relocation of GMC Handwara

Kupwara, Aug 14: Residents of Gund Chogal and members of the civil society from Pohru Chakla staged a peaceful protest on Thursday against the government’s decision to relocate the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara from its sanctioned site.

Protesters said the announcement had left the community “bewildered and disheartened.” Advocate Noor Ul Shahbaz of Pohrupeth recalled that when the site was first approved, locals surrendered agricultural land and felled trees in anticipation of development.

“The government cites flood risk, but why was this not assessed before crores were spent?” Shahbaz asked.

Nisar Ahmad said nearly Rs 60 crore had already been invested in a three-storey structure. “We feel betrayed. The government should be accountable for this waste,” he said.

Protesters urged adopting flood mitigation measures instead of relocation and demanded a transparent probe into the decision, accusing the NC-led government of facilitating the move to Natnussa.