Residents suffer as Karnah awaits new SDM

Kupwara, Mar 2: Residents of the border town of Karnah in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district are grappling with an administrative crisis as the post of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) has remained vacant for over three months following the superannuation of the former officer.

The prolonged vacancy has disrupted public services and delayed key administrative processes, leaving both officials and residents frustrated.

Locals said the absence of a new SDM has led to significant bottlenecks, with files requiring approval piling up and routine governance work suffering delays.

“Files requiring the SDM’s approval have been accumulating for the past three months, stalling essential administrative work,” said Tahir Qudoos, a resident.

The lack of a key administrative head has also hampered the redressal of public grievances. “People have nowhere to turn for help, and the administrative machinery appears paralysed,” said another resident, Wasim Baba.

Meanwhile, MLA Karnah Javid Mirchal has expressed strong resentment over the delay in filling the vacant post. “I have taken up the matter with higher authorities, but the position of SDM in Karnah remains unfilled, leaving locals in distress,” he said.

Mirchal has once again demanded that the government fill the vacant post without further delay to restore smooth administrative functioning and ease public hardships.