Locals protest villages’ inclusion in proposed Dabwali district

Sirsa, July 22

While the demand for upgrading Dabwali tehsil into a district has gained momentum, some villages have voiced their concerns over the matter. On Monday, residents of these villages protested and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. The process of making Dabwali a district has led to demands for excluding several villages from Rori and Baragudha sub-tehsils.

Villagers held a two-hour protest at the Baragudha Block Development and Panchayat office and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister via Social Education and Panchayat Officer (SEPO) Harjit Singh. They also announced they would hold a major panchayat meeting on Wednesday.

The protest saw participation from villagers, sarpanches, and Congress leaders, including Nirmal Singh Malri, Tej Bhan Patwari, and others.

They argued that including their villages in the new district was unjust, as these villages were 20-25 km from Sirsa but 55-60 km from Dabwali. They said it would be difficult for them to access essential services if their villages came under the new district’s jurisdiction. They also cited a lack of transportation facilities to Dabwali.

The protesters emphasised they had no objections to Dabwali becoming a district but insisted on keeping their villages within the Sirsa district. They threatened further action if their demands were not met.

Subdivisional status for Rania’s demand on

The Rania Bar Association’s protest for granting Rania subdivisional status persists. Congress leader and former Chief Minister’s ex-officer on special duty Dr KV Singh supported the protestors, criticising local BJP leaders for hindering Rania’s development.

He said all political and social organisations backed the lawyers’ demand, which met all requirements and was pending the Chief Minister’s approval.

Advocates argue that this status would save residents significant time and money by reducing the need to travel 60-70 km to Ellenabad for minor tasks.

‘Dabwali 55-60 km away’

• Villagers said including their villages in the new district was unjust as these villages were 20-25 km from Sirsa but 55-60 km from Dabwali.
• They said it would be difficult for them to access essential services if their villages came under the new district’s jurisdiction. They also cited a lack of transportation facilities to Dabwali.